Pirelli prepares for Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup decider at the Nürburgring
Pirelli will be at the Nürburgring in Germany this weekend as sole tyre supplier to the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and GT4 European Series Northern Cup.
This weekend marks the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup decider and there are 14 drivers and four teams who could mathematically take the title. However, it is likely to be between the #84 Mercedes-AMG Team HTP Motorsport pairing of Maxi Buhk and Franck Perera (currently on 60 points), Mirko Bortolotti-Christian Engelhart (#63 GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini, 57 points), Dries Vanthoor-Marcel Fassler (#5 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, 56 points), Stuart Leonard-Robin Frijns (#17 Team WRT Audi, 56 points) and Markus Winkelhock-Will Stevens (#2 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, 54 points).
What's the circuit like? The Nürburgring grand prix circuit, right next to the ‘Green Hell’ of the Nordschleife, measures 5.148 kilometres with a total of 15 corners. Having hosted the German Grand Prix in the past, it provides a considerable challenge. With its own microclimate one part of the track could be wet while the other part dry making tyre choice for the teams particularly difficult.
Which tyres is Pirelli bringing? Pirelli will bring its P Zero DHD tyre for the provisional Blancpain GT grid of 35 cars and its dedicated P Zero DH slick for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo and GT4 European Series Northern Cup grids. Weather is unpredictable at the Nürburgring and rain isn’t unusual. If the track is wet, both championships will use the WH tyre, with a sculpted tread pattern to disperse water.
What are the most likely race strategies? There are two races over the weekend, one qualifying race and one main race, lasting just one hour each. During the race teams must change driver and tyres during a specific pit stop window. Depending on the weather there could be more than just one pit stop if teams need to change from slicks to wets or vice a versa.
Quote: Matteo Braga, circuit activity manager: “It should be an exciting weekend of racing with the title up for grabs between quite a few drivers and teams. I’m sure they’ll all be pushing hard, forming a thrilling conclusion to an unpredictable championship. The Nürburgring is a tough circuit and weather can play a major part as it’s often hard to forecast, especially at this time of year: we’ve even seen a hail storm stop the 24-hour race in the past.”
Timings: Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup free practice takes place at 09.40 and 14.10 on Friday 15 September. The qualifying practice is at 09.40 on Saturday 16 September followed by the qualifying race at 14.00. The main race is on Sunday 17 September at 15.30 after a warm up session at 09.15.
Lamborghini Super Trofeo free practice sessions are on Friday 15 September at 11.10 and 15.40. Qualifying practice is at 10.45 followed by race one at 15.40. Race two is on Sunday 17 September at 13.55.
GT4 European Series Northern Cup free practice sessions are on Friday 15 September at 12.20 and 16.50. On Saturday 16 September at 11.45 is qualifying practice followed by race one at 16.55. Race two is on Sunday 17 September at 11.00.
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For further information please contact:
Francescopaolo Tarallo • +39 334 684 4307 • francescopaolo.tarallo@pirelli.com (Head of Product and Motorsport Communication)
Carla Corbet • +44 7584 037 687 • carla@mediaticaworld.com
Maria Stella Narciso • +39 338 942 3585 • mariastella.narciso@pirelli.com