The twenty-minute sprint race at Lausitzring was marked by thrills and battles. And above all, a new lineup on the podium, with Gustavo Menezes being on top of the podium for the first time this season. There is also a different number one in the Trophy ranking. Hubertus-Carlos Vier received the biggest trophy.
Sebastian Balthasar from Cologne (GU-Racing / Dallara F311 Mercedes) and Nabil Jeffri from Kuala Lumpur (Eurointernational / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) defended their positions on top for a short time but had to give in after all. Gustavo Menezes from the U.S. (Van Amersfoort Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) took the lead, followed by Austrian Thomas Jager (Performance Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine). Behind them, the grid including Russian Artem Markelov (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine), Swede John Bryant-Meisner (Performance Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) and championship leader Marvin Kirchhofer (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) switched positions constantly. The winner of race one, Briton Emil Bernstorff (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine), had to wait a long time for a chance to pass Italian Matteo Cairoli (ADM Motorsport / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine). In the end, he was able to push forward to sixth place. It is the first victory in the current season for the Californian, ahead of the driver from Vienna, who had a podium finish once before. Marvin Kirchhfer grabbed the third place, with a tenth of a second lead.
Turbulent race for the Trophy driversSebastian Balthasar's competitors didn't sleep. Freddy Killensberger from Wortelstetten (GU-Racing / Dallara OPC-Challenge) put pressure on the driver from Cologne in a battle for the lead. Killensberger was forced to retire early after a crash with Balthasar. In the end, Hubertus-Carlos Vier from Inching (ADAC Team Nordbayern / Dallara F307 Mercedes) won, ahead of Balthasar and Christian Zeller (CR Racing Team / Dallara F311 Mercedes), who also celebrated his first podium finish. The result is pending, subject to a technical inspection.
Gustavo Menezes: It is a great feeling. My team has worked really hard but we knew that we are on the right track. In the end, we did everything right. It was a tough race but I am so happy!Thomas Jager: I had a great start. Then I touched the limiter for a long time during a battle with Gustavo and John. I could have been a real danger to Gustavo then. I am very pleased that I succeeded once again.Marvin Kirchhofer: It was a hard-fought race. I had a good start, but there was a lot of scrapping in the first turn. Third place in the end, even though I thought I would have to complete one more lapjust great!Hubertus-Carlos Vier: I had a problem with coupling that is why I did a jump start. Then I tried to catch up. The setting here at Lausitzring is great. I am very happy with my first place.
