Tom Blomqvist and Nicky Catsburg win Pool Fast quarter finals
Cupra EKS driver Tom Blomqvist and Hyundai Motorsport N’s Nicky Catsburg claimed the victories of the Pool Fast quarter finals at the Sachsenring.
The Pool Fast quarter final 1 featured Cupra EKS drivers Blomqvist, Mattias Ekström and Romeo Ferraris’ Giovanni Venturini.
At the start, Blomqvist took the lead ahead of the Swede and the Italian. The positions remained stable throughout the four-lap race, with Ekström attacking for the lead at the end of lap three.
Venturini, however, saved his power-up, attacking Ekström for second place on the final lap. The Swede did manage to defend and keep second place.
Blomqvist won the race ahead of Ekström and Venturini.
“It’s quite hard to get close and a difficult track to pass, so by managing the power-up I managed to stay ahead,” said the Briton after the race.
Romeo Ferraris driver Maxime Martin and Hyundai Motorsport N’s Catsburg and Jean-Karl Vernay featured for the second quarter final.
Catsburg got a slight edge at the start, with Martin taking the inside at Turn 1. The Dutch continued pressing to overtake for the lead, with Vernay hitting Martin from behind.
The Belgian tried to recover, but Vernay passed for second place, as the Hyundais were in positions one and two.
Catsburg opened a gap at the front as Vernay held Martin behind him.
Martin used power-up at the main straight as they entered the last lap, with Vernay still staying ahead. The Belgian driver had more power-up remaining and overtook Vernay, making contact with the Hyundai in the process.
Catsburg won the race ahead of Martin and Vernay.
“I locked up in the fourth corner, that was my mistake, but then, at the following corner, he (Vernay) pushed me like crazy to overtake,” said Martin.
“We will refer the incident to the stewards, I’m sure they will have something to discuss,” Romeo Ferraris team principal Michella Cerruti added.
The Pool Furious quarter finals are scheduled for 18:01 CEST.
