Young Driver AMR: Stefan Mücke and Darren Turner third in Germany

Young Driver AMR has all chances for a great result in their home race at the Sachsenring in Germany this weekend. Stefan Mücke (GER) and Darren Turner (GBR) provided themselves with a good starting position for the Championship Race, when they finished third in the Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin DBR9 in the Qualifying Race. Alex Müller (GER) and Tomas Enge (GER) were en route to a top 5-finish, when a Ford GT hit the Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin und forced Müller into a spin. Müller/Enge eventually finished in 10th position.

Darren Turner started from third position into the Qualifying Race and defended his position until the mandatory driver change halfway through the race. After the pit stop, Stefan Mücke lost two places, but immediately gained one position back and finally took third place back when he overtook a Nissan two laps before the end of the race.

Alex Müller had a perfect start in the second Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin and was in fifth position in the first half of the race. Just before the driver change, a Ford GT made contact with Müller and spun the Aston Martin. Müller lost several places and dropped to end of the field. After the driver change, Tomas Enge fought his way back and finished in 10th position.

Young Driver AMR will start into Sunday’s Championship Race from third place on the grid (Mücke/Turner) and from the fifth row (Müller/Enge).

Driver quotes after the race

Alex Müller, #7 Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin DBR9: „I had a really good start and was much quicker then a Nissan in front of me. But I couldn’t pass him, as was my aero wasn’t good when I was too close to him. Then I noted a Ford GT was coming from the back, and I’m very disappointed about his move. It’s very poor from that other driver that he drove into my car and forced me to spin. Without this issue, third or fourth position would have been possible today. In the Championship Race, we will start from 10th position, that will be very hard.”

Tomas Enge #7 Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin DBR9: „I didn’t had any big dramas during my stint, the car was fast und very consistent. It’s a shame that somebody drove into our car, as we lost a top-5 position due to that. But what goes around, comes around.“

Stefan Mücke, #8 Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin DBR9: „I was very surprised when I headed out of the pits and saw two Nissan right in front of me. I could directly overtake one Nissan and the other one two laps before the finish. A third place finish at our home race is just great, that provides us with all chances for the Championship Race.”

Darren Turner, #8 Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin DBR9: „At the start I couldn’t see the lights and the Nissan of Bernoldi nearly passed me. But I could keep him behind me and had a nice fight with him before I could build a gap. After the driver change, Stefan had a really good stint and I’m really pleased with the result.”

Hardy Fischer, team principal Young Driver AMR: „For the Championship Race, we have a really good starting position. It was a very poor move of the Ford driver Makowiecki to spin our car, without this we could have both cars in the front for the Championship Race. Stefan and Darren lost a little bit of time with the pit stop, but you can’t always be the quickest team in the pits. I’m quite satisfied with the result and I hope we can even do better in the Championship Race.”

Image Markus Berns