Markus Pommer and Valentino Catalano are champions / sports cars

The final of the Prototype Cup Germany 2024 saw a four-way battle for the title with the best chances for the table leaders Markus Pommer (33/Untereisesheim) and Valentino Catalano (18/Westheim, both Gebhardt Motorsport) as well as the first pursuers Danny Soufi (21/USA) and Torsten Kratz (53/Mönchengladbach, both Konrad Motorsport). Pommer / Catalano saw the checkered flag in third place in the last race of the season, the Konrad duo was waved off in sixth place after a difficult race. This makes Pommer / Catalano the new champions in the Prototype Cup Germany.

“After not making it in 2023, even though we were really fast at times, I’m even happier today,” beamed Catalano, a candidate for the ADAC Sports Foundation. His teammate even managed the feat of successfully defending his title from 2023 onwards. “We were really unlucky at times this season, but we never gave up. Defending my title makes me proud because I’ve shown that I can become champion in a different constellation with a different team and a different teammate than last year.”

At the top of the final race, everything was quickly clear: Keanu Al Azhari (16/UAE, Mühlner Motorsport) took the lead at the start with his Duqueine and immediately pulled away from the field. Even after the obligatory pit stop, he was still in the lead; at the finish, he had a quick 55-second lead over second-placed Julien Apothéloz (23/CHE) / Riccardo Leone Cirelli (16/ITA, both BWT Mücke Motorsport), who were also driving a Duqueine.

The Mühlner Motorsport driver was happy after the race: “I am very satisfied. It was important to hold first place at the start. After that I was able to pull away and show how fast I am and how good the Mühlner Motorsport car is. I would like to come back next year and then go for the title.”

Catalano and Felipe Laser (36/Leipzig, Frikadelli Racing Team) lined up behind Al Azhari at the start. After ten laps, Laser overtook Catalano; this was still the case when the pit stop window opened. After all pit stops had been completed, Mücke’s Apothéloz was now third, while Pommer slipped back to fourth place in his Duqueine. Because Ligier’s Klaus Abbelen (63/Barweiler, Frikadelli Racing Team) could not hold on to second place, both Apothéloz and Pommer moved up one position each and were delighted with podium finishes.

The afternoon was far less positive for Torsten Kratz (53/Mönchengladbach) and Danny Soufi (21/USA, Konrad Motorsport). A drive-through penalty after the minimum pit stop time was undercut by 0.1 seconds threw the Konrad duo in the Ligier far back in the rankings, so that their title ambitions dwindled more and more. They had hope for a brief moment, because Pommer drove a significantly slower lap due to rising gearbox temperatures. But after that he was able to drive faster lap times again and was not in danger of rolling out due to gearbox damage. Kratz / Soufi finished sixth in the race behind Sven Barth (43/Eberbach) / Michael Lyons (33/GBR, both Momo Gebhardt Racing) and Abbelen / Laser. Barth and Lyons thus repeated their fourth place from yesterday and also equalled the best result of a Ginetta chassis this year.

For Antti Rammo (41/EST, MRS GT-Racing) it was a race day with mixed feelings. The Estonian was forced out of the race after spinning, but he still took the title of best trophy driver. The Ligier driver could only theoretically win the war anyway. The laurels of the best team went to Gebhardt Motorsport.

Julien Apothéloz (second): “I think it was a good end to the season. We made it onto the podium twice here at the Sachsenring, so we can be happy. The race was not easy because the car was very unstable, especially on the rear axle. Accordingly, I did not risk too much because I wanted to bring home this podium place.”

Riccardo Leone Cirelli (second): “First of all, congratulations to Markus and Valentino on winning the title, they had a flawless season.” But I am also very happy with my first season in LMP3 racing. We won two races, which I hadn’t expected beforehand. And we are third in the final table, just behind Danny Soufi and Torsten Kratz. I also think the car is great and very good for learning. And of course a big thank you to Julien and the whole Mücke team, who made my first season in LMP3 easy for me.”

Valentino Catalano (third): “It was important to hold on to second place at the start – which wasn’t easy because that side of the track is simply the worse one.” When I knew that the Konrad duo were far behind us, I didn’t take any more risks and handed the car over to Markus in third place.”

Markus Pommer (third): “Early on in my stint I was told that Konrad would get a drive-through, which relaxed the situation somewhat in terms of the title fight.” I was able to catch up with Julien quickly, but then my gearbox temperature rose to 119 degrees Celsius. I spoke to my engineer over the radio and we decided not to take any risks. I also dropped back, which was a strange feeling. But maybe that saved us from gearbox damage and of course it was worth it.”