Photo: FIA ETCR

Tom Blomqvist and Maxime Martin win Pool Fast semi finals at Sachsenring

By

Cupra EKS driver Tom Blomqvist and Romeo Ferraris’ Maxime Martin shared the victories in the Pool Fast semi finals at the Sachsenring on Sunday morning.

Blomqvist, Mattias Ekström and Hyundai Motorsport N’s Nicky Catsburg lined up at the starting grid for the semi final 1.

At the start, Blomqvist took the lead, with Catsburg coming side-by-side into Turn 1 with Ekström, although the Swede managed to stay ahead to retain second place.

The Briton opened a gap at the front, with Ekström coming under fire from Catsburg, who went side-by-side with the Cupra driver at the main straight.

Catsburg saved his power up during the second lap to charge again in the third, with Ekström edging the Hyundai driver out of the track as the Dutch came side-by-side again.

Blomqvist won the race with Ekström in second place as Catsburg had to concede, having used up all of his power-up.

“I had a good start and was able to open a gap to Mattias, which enabled me to do my own race,” said Blomqvist after the race. “It has been a good weekend so far.”

“It was a very nice battle with Mattias, he’s very good at what he does, he did a very good job and it was a good race,” added Catsburg.

Semi final 2 featured Romeo Ferraris drivers Martin and Giovanni Venturini, as well as the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR of Jean-Karl Vernay.

Venturini charged ahead at the start, with Vernay reaching Turn 1 in second place. Martin nudged the Hyundai to squeeze past.

The Belgian didn’t stop there, catching his team-mate and overtaking at Turn 1 on lap two for the lead. Martin opened a slight gap as Venturini fended off the Hyundai.

Vernay overtook Venturini for second place at the end of lap two, with his sights set on the leading Romeo Ferraris driver, with the Frenchman closing the gap ahead of the last lap.

Martin managed his power-up to win the semi final 2 ahead of Vernay and Venturini.

“The start was the key of the race and after that the pace was good,” Martin said after the race. “It was a good race and now we are through to the final.”

The Pool Furious semi finals are scheduled for 10:40 CEST.