The fourth race weekend of the Prototype Cup Germany at the Hockenheimring was another busy one in the paddock. Here are a few exciting stories and background information from the paddock.

The fastest: The LMP3 cars of the Prototype Cup Germany impressed at the Hockenheimring as part of the ADAC Racing Weekend. The platform, which is geared towards grassroots racing, offered top-class motorsport with various series, such as the ADAC Touring Car Junior Cup, the GTC Race, the Cup and Touring Car Trophy, the TW GT Revival and the Special Touring Car Trophy. The Prototype Cup Germany was also the fastest series of the race weekend. The best time was set by Markus Pommer (33/Untereisesheim, Gebhardt Motorsport) in the Duqueine D08 with 1:34.999 minutes in Q3. 

Fourth platform: The Prototype Cup Germany will present itself to a wide range of spectators in 2024. The appearance at the ADAC Racing Weekend was the fourth platform on which the LMP3 cars competed. The season opener at Spa-Francorchamps took place as part of the 24H Series, the series raced at the Lausitzring as part of the support program for the high-reach DTM and the Summer Trophy was held at Zandvoort. The two remaining events at the Nürburgring and the Sachsenring will once again be part of the DTM.

Plenty of track time: The Prototype Cup Germany drivers had a lot to do at the Hockenheimring. With two free practice sessions, three qualifying sessions and three races, the race weekend had a truly XXL format. All in all, there were over five hours of track time. This was well received in the paddock.

34 minutes of anticipation: For Gebhardt drivers Sven Barth (43/Eberbach), Michael Herich (47/Brühl), Jacob Erlbacher (23/Böblingen), Valentino Catalano (18/Westheim) and Markus Pommer, the appearance at the Motodrom in Baden means a home race. "The Hockenheimring is my absolute home track. I drive exactly 34 minutes from my front door to the paddock. Of course, it's nice to be able to sleep at home," says Pommer. "I know every bump and every detail of the track. That is certainly a small advantage."

Back again: DataLab Sports with Rinaldi enriched the Prototype Cup Germany field for the first time this season. "We were already involved in the series in the two previous seasons and feel very comfortable," says Team Principal Michele Rinaldi. "The Prototype Cup Germany welcomes the teams with open arms. We are convinced that the series will continue to grow in strength." DataLab Sports with Rinaldi will make its next guest appearance at the Nürburgring next weekend.

Double commitment: Rinaldi driver Luca Link (20/Günzberg) made his debut in the Prototype Cup Germany at the Hockenheimring and also competed in the STT at the same time. "It was a mega weekend and I took a lot away with me," said a beaming Link. "The double start meant there was a lot to do. In the STT, I drove a Porsche Cayman GT4. But of course the LMP3 was more fun, as it has more downforce and is simply faster. In fact, the change wasn't as big as I expected."

Guest from overseas: The second driver at DataLab Sports with Rinaldi was Suellio Almeida (30). It was the Brazilian's first time ever in European motorsport. "Hockenheim was a big step for my career. I started with SimRacing and have now been racing on the track for around 2.5 years," reported Almeida, who is also a well-known YouTuber. "Driving an LMP3 for the first time was simply incredible. The car is amazing. The series here is a perfect environment for me to continue learning. The Hockenheimring is also a really exciting race track."

Fast juniors: Julien Apothéloz (23/CHE) and Riccardo Leone Cirelli (16/ITA, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) won the first two races at the Hockenheimring in the Duqueine and thus also secured the trophies in the Junior classification. In race three, Ligier driver Danny Soufi (21/USA, Konrad Motorsport) celebrated the Junior victory.

Gentlemen inspire: The Trophy classification was really varied, as the three races were each won by a different gentleman. In race one, Torsten Kratz (53/Mönchengladbach, Konrad Motorsport) was right at the front. Race two went to Ligier brand colleague Antti Rammo (41/EST, MRS GT-Racing) and the third race was won by Klaus Abbelen (63/Barweiler, Frikadelli Racing Team) in another Ligier. Abbelen also had two reasons to be happy. Together with teammate Felipe Fernández Laser (35/Leipzig), he also achieved overall victory.