Austria’s Philipp Eng (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) wrapped up the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland season perfectly. The 25 year old scored his ninth win of the season on the Hockenheimring this weekend, after claiming an early crown at the 13th of 17 races at Oschersleben. On Sunday, the Austrian planted his 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup on first ahead of Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East) and Michael Ammermüller (D/The Heart of Racing by Lechner). “What a fantastic Carrera Cup season! I managed to defend my title and also win the team title with my Project 1 squad. It’s great to win the final round and if it was up to me it can continue like this,” said a delighted Eng.
The battle for runner-up honours went to Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing). In the overall rankings, the Porsche specialist earned 199 points over the season and lay just two points ahead of Schmidt. With 182 points to his credit, Ammermüller finished fourth in the overall classification ahead of Nicki Thiim (DK/Küs Team75 Bernhard, 168 points). The best rookie of the year was Alexander Toril (E/Market Leader Team by Project 1), with the amateur category clinched by Rolf Ineichen (CH/Konrad Motorsport). As the best team, Deutsche Post by Project 1 managed to beat its toughest rival Lechner Racing.
From start to finish, round 17 was packed with gripping action with the 24-strong field treating spectators to spectacular overtaking manoeuvres, exciting door-to-door duels and enthralling fights for positions. In the very first lap, three cars collided and the safety car was deployed. When the race went green again, Schmidt, who was leading after taking up the race from pole position, was unable to shake Eng and had to let the champion past in the third lap. The top three positions were then set with Eng, Schmidt and Ammermüller. While jockeying for positions, Nicki Thiim (DK/Küs Team75 Bernhard) found the better line and finished fourth.
Engelhart took the flag in fifth ahead of Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land-Motorsport). “Sixth place at the season finale is okay, but you notice how close together we all are,” explained de Phillippi. His Porsche Junior colleague Sven Müller (D/Lechner Racing Middle East) agreed with him: “The level of competition is incredible and you notice this when you’re fighting for positions. Unfortunately I flat-spotted my tyre in an overtaking manoeuvre while I was running in fourth. Afterwards I couldn’t maintain my pace and wound up on tenth. It’s impressive how tough but fair everything went.”
Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (I/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1), who contested his maiden season in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, was not happy with his last race. “I nudged the rear of Christopher Zöchling’s car slightly and was handed a drive-through penalty. Unfortunately, 17th was the end result,” declared the 19-year-old Italian.
For some of the teams, the end of the Porsche Carrera Cup race marks the start of a logistical challenge. The vehicles and equipment are transported directly from Hockenheim to Stuttgart, where they will be flown to Austin/Texas for the season final of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. There as well, Eng could possibly pick up the trophy. He currently leads the overall standings with 137 points and will once again go head-to-head with his old rival Christian Engelhart (120 points).
Result race 17: 1. Philipp Eng (A/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) 2. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East) 3. Michael Ammermüller (D/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) 4. Nicki Thiim (DK/Küs Team75 Bernhard) 5. Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing) 6. Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land-Motorsport) 7. Christopher Zöchling (A/Konrad Motorsport) 8. Alex Riberas (E/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) 9. Ben Barker (GB/Land-Motorsport) 10. Sven Müller (D/Lechner Racing Middle East)
Points standings after 17 of 17 races: Drivers’ classification 1. Philipp Eng (A/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1), 295 points 2. Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing), 199 points 3. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East), 197 points 4. Michael Ammermüller (D/The Heart of Racing by Lechner), 182 points 5. Nicki Thiim (DK/Küs Team75 Bernhard), 169 points
Rookie classification 1. Alexander Toril (E/Market Leader Team by Project 1), 58 points 2. Richard Charles Goddard (AUS/TECE MRS-Racing), 27 points 3. Luca Rettenbacher (A/Konrad Motorsport), 12 points
Amateur classification 1. Rolf Ineichen (CH/Konrad Motorsport), 296 points 2. Wolf Nathan (NL/Land-Motorsport), 290 points 3. Ralf Bohn (D/Herberth Motorsport), 264 points
Team classification 1. Team Deutsche Post by Project 1, 407 points 2. Lechner Racing Middle East, 361 points 3. The Heart of Racing by Lechner, 338 points
