GT3 / GT4

Hockenheim : notebook post race...

GT World Challenge Europe

GT4 European Series

5 Sep. 2022 • 14:19

lmercier

For the first visit of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe to Hockenheim, it was not clear what to expect in terms of attendance. Despite the F1 in Zandvoort, the public came to see the GT3, GT4, Mitjet and Renault Clio Cup under the sun. In an arena of 120.000 people, the grandstands could appear to be empty, but one should not be fooled by appearances.

Saintéloc Racing had a perfect Sunday in Hockenheim. In addition to the two victories in the GT4 European Series (Pro-Am, Silver), the team from Saint-Etienne also won the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe (Endurance), something that had not happened since the 2017 Spa 24 Hours.

Jérôme Do Vale, safety car driver, had a big scare during the neutralisation when his Audi R8 was left without brakes at the end of the straight. The driver was more scared than hurt, however, and escaped unharmed.

If we take a closer look at the report established by The B Pillar, which takes into account a maximum of 50% of the fastest laps of each driver in the race, the best average time in the Pro Cup is for Dennis Marschall (Audi/Attempto) in 1:38.918 ahead of Mirko Bortolotti (Lamborghini/Emil Frey Racing) and Dennis Lind (McLaren/JP Motorsport). In the Silver Cup, Thomas Neubauer (Audi/WRT) had the best average time of 1:39.304 ahead of Alex Aka (Audi/Attempto) and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (Audi/WRT). Lucas Auer (Mercedes/Winward) was the fastest in the Gold Cup with an average time of 1:39.200. The Austrian was ahead of Ryuichiro Tomita (Audi/WRT) and Michelle Gatting (Ferrari/Iron Lynx). The top three in Pro-Am are Henrique Chaves (McLaren/Garage 59), Dominik Baumann (Mercedes/SPS) and Andrea Bertolini (Ferrari/AF Corse).

Several GT3 and GT4 teams remain at Hockenheim on Monday to carry out tests. Akkodis ASP and Mirage Racing are among the teams present.

At the end of the German meeting, only the Silver Cup title is at stake. This one is for WRT with the lineup Thomas Neubauer, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Benjamin Goethe. The three French-speaking drivers were consistent with two wins and four podiums in four races.

The Endurance (Pro) title will be decided in Barcelona in the final between Marciello, Gounon, Juncadella for Akkodis ASP, and Serra, Rigon, Fuoco for Iron Lynx. The gap between the two teams is 11 points. Last year, Akkodis ASP clearly dominated the final in Barcelona.

The Lamborghini Huracan GT3/Leipert Motorsport retired after contact with Valentino Rossi's Audi/WRT. On social media, Isaac Tutumlu, one of the Lamborghini/Leipert drivers, lashed out at the Italian's on-track behaviour, advising him to retire from racing, that he was just good at pushing others and causing red flags. Tutumlu's race average: 1:41.359. Rossi's average time: 1:39.883.

A rare occurrence in the endurance championship, all three drivers in the same GT3 car set the fastest times in their respective qualifying sessions at Hockenheim. Dries Vanthoor, Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts put the #32 Audi/WRT on pole.

Hockenheim marks Mirage Racing's first ever podium finish in the GT4 European Series this season. Alban Lagrange and Frédéric de Brabant took third place in the Sunday race in the Am class.

Mauro Ricci is alone in second place in the GT4 European Series championship in the Am class. The Akkodis ASP driver drove solo in the Sunday race with 12 points scored. Benjamin Ricci remains on 128 points against his father's 140.

Jean-Luc Beaubelique and Jim Pla (Akkodis ASP), who lead the GT4 championship in the Pro-Am class, are the only drivers to have scored points in every race since the start of the season.

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