Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie: Falken Motorsports Claims Dominant Victory; Verstappen Faces DPN Permit A Uncertainty
In a commanding performance during the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie race, Falken Motorsports secured a 1-2 finish with their Porsches, while Max Verstappen’s aspirations for a DPN Permit A faced complications due to mechanical issues.
Race Summary:
Falken’s #3 Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Julien Andlauer and Joel Sturm, triumphed in the four-hour ADAC ACAS Cup, finishing 1 minute and 26 seconds ahead of the sister #4 Porsche of Tim Heinemann and Benjamin Leuchter. This victory marks Falken Motorsports’ fourth win in the NLS series, solidifying their lead for the Speed Trophy.
Qualifying and Early Race Action:
Andlauer clinched pole position with a time of 9:13.786 on a drying track, outpacing BLACK FALCON’s Tobias Müller by nearly five seconds. He maintained his lead from the start but faced early pressure from Frank Stippler in the #6 Haupt Racing Team Ford Mustang GT3, who briefly overtook him early on. However, Andlauer regained control and built a substantial lead.
Stippler’s race ended prematurely due to a clutch failure during the first pit stop, costing him 45 minutes for repairs before retiring after 15 additional laps. Heinemann’s #4 Porsche encountered issues as well; an early pit stop handed the lead back to Falken after a Code 60 scenario disadvantaged Leuchter.
Mid-Race Developments:
After a seamless driver change, Sturm extended their lead to nearly 40 seconds before rain impacted the race. The team opted to keep their slick tires for an additional lap, allowing them to maintain their advantage despite wet conditions.
As rain subsided, competitors began closing the gap. Sturm and Heinemann made a timely strategic pit stop to switch back to slicks, keeping Falken Motorsports in the lead position as Stursberg in the #48 Porsche faced fuel constraints that prevented a challenge for the podium.
Final Podium and Class Results:
The race concluded with Sturm comfortably bringing the #3 Porsche home ahead of Heinemann. The #48 Porsche and SP9 Am class winners, Müller and Stursberg, rounded out the top three overall. Notable class results included the fourth-placed #34 Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin and the CUP2-winning #948 LOSCH Motorsport Porsche.
Verstappen’s DPN Permit A Situation:
Max Verstappen attempted to secure a DPN Permit A through his participation in a pair of Lionspeed GP Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS. However, due to a mechanical failure, one car could not start. Verstappen successfully completed his 14 laps in the other Cayman, which finished best among Permit B entries despite not finishing in a classified position.
Verstappen’s unique situation allows him to appeal for a Permit A despite not achieving the requisite two classified finishes, and he may compete again in lower-class machinery as soon as the next event.
Key Statistics and Results:
- Winners: #3 Falken Porsche 911 GT3 R (Andlauer/Sturm)
- 2nd Place: #4 Falken Porsche 911 GT3 R (Heinemann/Leuchter)
- 3rd Place: #48 Porsche (Müller/Stursberg)
- SP9 Pro-Am Winners: #34 Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin
- CUP2 Winners: #948 LOSCH Motorsport Porsche
The next round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, the ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen, is scheduled to take place tomorrow.
