Dutchman Flynt Schuring took the chequered flag after 23 laps ahead of teammate Alessandro Ghiretti. Going into Sunday’s race, the Porsche Junior from France now tops the overall standings with a nine-point lead over Robert de Haan. The Dutchman finished fifth on the storied circuit in Saxony.
Schuring started from pole position, with Ghiretti alongside him. ‟My start wasn’t ideal, I had to squeeze Alessandro a little bit,” said Schuring, recalling the only critical moment on his way to his third win of the season. The Frenchman had attempted to overtake his young teammate in the sprint to the first corner. ‟I was already alongside Flynt, with my right tyres on the grass – luckily, he left me enough space to get back on track. The most important thing for the team is that both cars reached the finish,” said Ghiretti, summarising those decisive seconds.
Just one corner later, the Porsche Junior even had to briefly concede second place to Ariel Levi. However, the Israeli driver representing Team GP Elite spun and triggered a short safety car phase. At the restart, Schuring kept his teammate at bay and went on to claim a comfortable victory. The Dutchman, who had just turned 19, was presented with the trophy by his older brother. Morris Schuring, who finished fifth overall in the Carrera Cup Deutschland two years ago, now contests the DTM with the Manthey Junior Team in a Porsche.
Behind the Schumacher CLRT duo, two Dutch drivers from Team GP Elite crossed the line. ‟My front tyres deteriorated significantly towards the end, so for me it was just a matter of surviving,” said Huub van Eijndhoven after securing third place. Teammate Kas Haverkort gained two positions during the race. The best-placed member of the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland Talent Pool also passed compatriot Robert de Haan, who lies second overall. The Dutchman from Team Proton Huber Competition experienced a loss of power but managed to cling on to fifth place at the finish. Janne Stiak was the best-placed German, finishing sixth. The young German competes in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Target Competition.
Following a run of bad luck earlier in the season, reigning ProAm champion Sören Spreng finally celebrated a class victory. ‟At last, a perfect race for me again,” said the German, who races for GP Elite. Michael Schrey continues to lead the ProAm standings. Driving for Team Bonk Motorsport, the German finished second ahead of Australian Samer Shahin in another GP Elite Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
For Rookie winner Joseph Warhurst, also a member of the Talent Pool, the race looked to be over after the first corner. ‟In the scramble at the start, a somebody pushed me into the gravel,” said the 20-year-old Englishman, who was nevertheless able to continue the race. ‟At that point, I had already settled for third place,” he admitted. But when two Rookies ahead of him later dropped back after mistakes, he secured an unexpected victory. With his third win of the season, Warhurst closed the gap to Rookie championship leader Sacha Norden, who finished third. Splitting the two Proton Huber Competition teammates, Brazilian Matheus Ferreira from Target Competition claimed second place.
Both title contenders will start from the front row on Sunday
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars will return to action at the Sachsenring tomorrow, Sunday. Robert de Haan, currently second in the overall standings, has secured pole position for the twelfth race of the season. Alongside him, championship leader Alessandro Ghiretti will line up on the grid for the 30-minute sprint, beginning at 11:20 hours CEST.
Fans can also follow the weekend’s second race live with English commentary on the internet, including on the Porsche Motorsport Hub and the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland channels on YouTube and Facebook Facebook.
Results race 11, Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, Sachsenring (DEU)
1. Flynt Schuring (NLD/Schumacher CLRT), 23 laps
2. Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti (FRA/Schumacher CLRT), +0.670 seconds
3. Huub van Eijndhoven (NLD/Team GP Elite), +3.462 seconds
4. Kas Haverkort (NLD/Team GP Elite), +6.859 seconds
5. Robert de Haan (NLD/Proton Huber Competition), +13.202 seconds
6. Janne Stiak (DEU/Target), +13.857 seconds
Standings Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland (after 11 of 16 races)
1. Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti (FRA/Schumacher CLRT), 183 points
2. Robert de Haan (NLD/Proton Huber Competition), 174 points
3. Porsche Junior Theo Oeverhaus (DEU/Bonk Motorsport), 127 points
Full results and championship standings on the Porsche Motorsport Hub.