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Nicki Thiim pursues front-runner Kevin Estre

The fourth race weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland began extremely successfully for the Dane Nicki Thiim (Attempto Racing). After setting the fastest time in free practice on the Lausitzring on Friday, the 24-year-old went on to snatch pole position and finish the race in first place. Thiim won the sixth race at the wheel of his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup ahead of his teammate and the championship leader Kévin Estre from France and Germany's Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport). "It was a tough but fair fight. The fact that Kévin passed me at one point spurred me on," said Thiim after his first victory of the season.

Thiim made a clean start and led the 34-strong field until the fourth lap. With a deft overtaking manoeuvre, Estre slipped in front of his teammate and managed to maintain the lead position with two laps to the flag. Thiim then grabbed the lead position back in lap 16. For Thiim, this marks the third win in three years on the Lausitzring. After winning in Hockenheim and Spielberg, Estre was unable to uphold his top form. For the closely-matched field, the hunt is now on for the front-runner who still holds a clear series lead with 112 points. "I was quick early on, but Nicki was better at the end. I hope I can continue my winning streak in the next race," explained Estre.

The high-speed circuit in the Lausitz demanded a great deal from the pilots and oil traces from Norbert Siedler's vehicle (A/Aust Motorsport) caused an additional challenge. "It was really difficult to see the oil on the track and it was very slippery. Still, I tried to make the best out of it and sixth place is fantastic," stated the young pilot Alex Riberas (E/Attempto Racing powered by Motorvision) who receives support from Porsche. His junior colleague Connor de Phillippi (USA/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport) also struggled somewhat with the track conditions, but was pleased with his eighth place: "I'm happy with my race and feel totally optimistic about the next race. Hopefully everything will run as smoothly tomorrow."

Thiim is thrilled to take home 20 points for his win which puts him in sixth place overall with 64 points. Estre still ranks first with 112 points ahead of Engelhart (87 points) and Edwards (77). Race seven of the Porsche Carrera Cup over 24 laps (83.472 km) is contested on the Lausitzring on Sunday at 10.55 hrs. Thiim shares the first grid row with Edwards, with van Lagen and Estre behind them on row two.

Race 6 result:
1. Nicki Thiim (DK/Attempto Racing)
2. Kévin Estre (F/Attempto Racing)
3. Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport)
4. Robert Lukas (PL/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport)
5. Sean Edwards (GB/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1)
6. Alex Riberas (E/Attempto Racing powered by Motorvision)
7. Felipe Fernández Laser (D/Konrad Motorsport)
8. Connor de Phillippi (USA/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport)
9. Philipp Eng (A/Logiplus MRS-Tacing)
10. Fabien Thuner (CH/Attempto Racing powered by Motorvision)

Points standings after 6 of 17 races:
Driver classification
1. Estre, 112 points
2. Engelhart, 87
3. Edwards, 77
4. van Lagen, 58
5. Siedler, 52

Amateur classification
1. Rolf Ineichen (CH/Konrad Motorsport), 94 points
2. Dominic Jöst (D/Attempto Racing), 82
3. Wolf Nathan (NL/FE Racing by Land-Motorsport), 75

Rookie classification
1. de Phillippi, 38 points
2. Riberas, 31
3. Schmidt, 22