Unrewarding debut after a good start

32 starters lined up for the first race of the season in the world’s most famous one-make cup. The weekend started with a promising 7th place in qualifying for Colin Bönighausen (Team Proton Huber Competition).

In the split qualifying of the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany, Colin fulfilled the hopes placed in him by his new team. The 20-year-old qualified third best from the Proton Huber Competition team in 7th place, less than half a second away from 2nd place. “The speed was there all weekend,” confirmed Colin.

In Race 1, ‘CJB’ initially managed to hold on to a place in the top 10 running for points. Two safety car periods brought the field together again and again, to Colin’s disadvantage: “Because the temperatures varied a lot, we made a mistake with the tyre pressure and lose more positions ‘till the end of the race.” With P13, he at least collected a few points for the overall standings.

The grid position for race 2 was no less challenging, starting from 14th place. In the often rather chaotic midfield, Bönighausen impressed with some strong manoeuvres that brought him within reach of the top 10 at mid stage. This was not affected by a fluttering bonnet, which began to lift slightly when he was driving in the slipstream. “I was clearly faster than the drivers around me, but just out of place.”

However, Bönighausen was forced into the defensive again and again. Tête-à-têtes with Janne Stiak, Kiano Blum and Sebastian Freymuth ruined any racing rhythm. “I was certainly unlucky in some of the duels, but all in all there were too many mistakes this weekend. I started analysing immediately after the race to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The positive for Colin: 14 more races are still to come this year in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany. In three weeks’ time at Spa once again as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, before then going on tour with the DTM for six races.

Fotocredit: Agentur Ferdi Kräling/PCCD

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