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Sven Müller (GER), Lechner MSG Racing Team

Qualifying

Sven Müller (GER), Lechner MSG Racing Team
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Qualifying, Round 6, Formula 1 race at Hockenheim/Germany, Qualifying
Pole position at home race for Porsche-Junior Sven Müller

For Porsche junior Sven Müller (D/Lechner MSG Racing Team) the qualifying on Sunday on the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg underlined his home advantage. The 24-year-old snatched pole position in the first minutes of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup session with a time of 1:42.822 minutes. The second best time was clocked by Porsche junior Matteo Cairoli (I/Fach Auto Tech), with Robert Lukas (PL/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport) taking up the race from the third grid spot. “To set pole at my home track is a dream. This qualifying was very special for me because I knew I had a lot of friends here watching. It’ll be an emotional race,” said Müller, who lives in Bingen just 100 kilometres from the Hockenheimring.

On the morning of the qualifying, the Porsche paddock was abuzz with guests wanting to witness the action live at the racetrack. The contenders drove to the track with their 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers in sunny skies and 25-degree temperatures. With great concentration, Müller used his first set of tyres to turn the best lap just four minutes into the session. Jaminet also posted an excellent time with 1:43.082 minutes. On their second sets of tyres, the pilots waited until six minutes before the end of the qualifying to see what the others would do. With only Müller and Cairoli left in the pits, Cairoli made his move as the second to last to go out onto the 4.574-kilometre racetrack. Lechner pilot Müller, the current overall leader of the championship, followed him several seconds later.

All drivers wanted to use the steadily improving grip conditions towards the end to secure a new top time, but a red flag threw a spanner in the works. When a vehicle ended up in the gravel in the Sachskurve, the yellow flag came out briefly before the session was cancelled with just one minute left to the qualifying. “That was a shame because I definitely had the feeling I was on course for pole,” said a disappointed Cairoli, before adding: “We had a perfectly setup and I believe I could have done it. Of course there’s always the risk of a red flag.” The 20-year-old Italian, who won the first two Supercup races in Barcelona und Monaco, lines up on the grid in second next to Müller for Sunday’s race.

The third quickest qualifying time was set by Porsche junior Mathieu Jaminet (F/Martinet by Almeras), however he has been relegated ten positions back for Sunday’s race. At the previous race weekend in Budapest, Hungary, where the fifth round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup was contested, Jaminet had caused a collision which sidelined three vehicles. “The accident in Budapest was my fault and it didn’t go well at all. I have apologised to all concerned. I have to accept this penalty and I’m hoping to finish the race in the top eight,” explained Jaminet, who has now been shuffled down the grid from third to position 13. With this, Lukas inherits position three. Lining up next to him is Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East) followed by Christian Engelhart (D/MRS GT-Racing) and Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner MSG Racing Team).

Round six of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place on Sunday at 11.35 hrs (CEST). Sky Deutschland and Eurosport 1 broadcast the race live from Hockenheim/Germany.

Qualifying Hockenheim
1. Sven Müller (D/Lechner MSG Racing Team), 1:42.822 minutes
2. Matteo Cairoli (I/Fach Auto Tech), 1:42.956 minutes
3. Mathieu Jaminet (F/Martinet by Almeras), 1:43.082 minutes*
4. Robert Lukas (PL/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport), 1:43.100 minutes
5. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East), 1:43.117 minutes
6. Christian Engelhart (D/MRS GT-Racing), 1:43.203 minutes
7. Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner MSG Racing Team), 1:43.295 minutes
8. Philipp Frommenwiler (CH/Fach Auto Tech), 1:43.564 minutes

*Jaminet has been moved ten positions down the grid line-up for Sunday’s race after causing an accident at the previous round in Budapest.