Mücke duo Pluschkell and Angelard dominate in Hockenheim

• Mattis Pluschkell and Maksymilian Angelard claim their maiden victory
• Fourth podium of the season for Pavel Lefterov and Danny Soufi
• Michael Herich is top Trophy driver again

Hockenheim. Mattis Pluschkell (20/Elmenhorst) and Maksymilian Angelard (17/POL, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) led from start to finish to claim victory at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. The fourth race of this season’s Prototype Cup Germany saw Pluschkell, starting from pole, take up residence at the front of the field. He was still leading by the time he handed the car over to Angelard, and was then able to sit back and watch his Polish team-mate complete a comfortable win. “It was important to hold onto the lead at the start, and to stay ahead of Valentino Catalano. After that, I was able to open and control a lead without taking too many risks,” said Pluschkell. Angelard added: “We improved the set-up of the car over the weekend, which allowed me to grow in confidence. It feels great to stand on the top step of the podium.” Behind the victorious Mücke pairing were Pavel Lefterov (27/BUL) and Danny Soufi (21/USA, both Konrad Motorsport), who successfully defended their position at the top of the table in the Prototype Cup Germany. Riccardo Leone Cirelli (17/ITA) and Mattias Bjerre Jakobsen (18/DEN, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) crossed the finish line in third place.

While the narrative at the front of the field soon became clear, with Angelard and Pluschkell heading towards a comfortable victory, Michael Herich (47/Brühl) found himself in second place immediately after taking over from Alexzander Kristiansson (25/SWE, both Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport) at the wheel of the Duqueine. However, the Trophy driver could see Soufi closing all the time and was powerless to prevent him passing on lap 28 of 33. The American was followed by Cirelli, who attacked Herich a lap later and successfully climbed into third place. In the final turn before the finish, Sven Barth (44/Eberbach), who shares a Ligier with Maxim Dirickx (21/BEL, both Aust Motorsport), caught Herich and launched an attack. Herich spun and Barth completed the overtake to move into fourth place. Herich and his Swedish team-mate Kristiansson held onto fifth place ahead of the returning Jacob Erlbacher (24/Böblingen) and newcomer Jérémy Siffert (21/SUI, both Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport), as well as Thomas Ambiel (45/Eppingen, Rinaldi Racing). In the Trophy competition, Gebhardt protégé Herich was able to hang on to take victory.

The race did not go to plan for Mikkel C. Johansen (37/DEN) and Oscar Tunjo (29/COL, both Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport), as the Columbian skidded out shortly after the driver changeover. Yesterday’s winner Valentino Catalano (19/Westheim, Badischer Motorsport Club) was also denied any cause for celebration on this occasion: he was forced to retire with a faulty drive shaft.

Pavel Lefterov (runner-up): “That was not an easy first stint. We did not have the top speed we needed to attack the car in front. However, Danny did then manage to climb into second place and secure some valuable points for us.”

Danny Soufi (runner-up): “No sooner had a taken my place in the car, than there was a Full Course Yellow phase. Towards the end of the race, I was able to come out on top in my battle for second place with Michael Herich, who I believe saw me too late and then left a gap.”

Mattias Bjerre Jakobsen (third): “My start was good, but after that I could not overtake Valentino Catalano. At the same time, Pavel Lefterov behind was also unable to pass me, as I, like Valentino, did not make any major mistakes. For me, it was a steady race up to the driver changeover.”

Riccardo Leone Cirelli (third): “After the Full Course Yellow, I found myself on the outside of a three-way battle. As a result, I lost a place to Danny Soufi. I then tried to follow Danny. When he was able to overtake Michael Herich a lap before I managed, I no longer had any chance of getting him. I think we were fast, but we were just lacking a bit of luck this weekend. There is definitely potential for more.”