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Michael Ammermüller, PMSC - Budapest 2017

Qualifying

Michael Ammermüller, PMSC - Budapest 2017
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Qualifying Round 6, Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary, Qualifying
Ammermüller achieves fastest qualifying time on the Hungaroring

The qualifying for round six of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup turned into a strategic game of poker. When the 30 pilots took off in the qualifying session on the Hungaroring not far from Budapest on Saturday, they demonstrated their different levels of willingness to take risks. In the end, the current leader of the championship, Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner MSG Racing Team), played the best hand, securing his second pole of the season with his 485 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with a time of 1:46.926 minutes. Behind him on the storied 4.381-kilometre racetrack, Daniel Cammish (GB/Lechner MSG Racing Team) posted the second quickest time. Porsche Junior Dennis Olsen (N/Walter Lechner Racing Team) and Robert Lukas (PL/Olimp Racing) locked out the second grid row.

In sunshine and a track temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, Cammish immediately set the benchmark: On his first set of fresh rubber, he clocked the fastest time on the tradition-steeped Hungarian circuit after five minutes. At first, Ammermüller bided his time in the pit lane and only went out when the initial storm had subsided. On his second set of tyres and with three minutes left to the session, Ammermüller topped the time charts. “I knew that there’d be better grip conditions towards the end of the qualifying so I relied more on my second set of tyres and thought it’ll all be fine,” explained the 31-year-old Bavarian. Cammish said: “Unlike Michael, I opted for a different strategy. He’s incredibly experienced and this is only my first Supercup season. I wanted to post a good qualifying time on my first set of tyres, so that I’d have more up my sleeve later on. In the end, I managed to clock a great time and I’m very happy with position two on the grid.”

Porsche Junior Olsen takes up Sunday’s race from third and was not totally happy with his performance: “We came testing on the Hungaroring but the conditions here today weren’t comparable. I had difficulty finding my rhythm and I’m pleased that it was enough for the third quickest time. I’m aiming for a good start into the race tomorrow so that I can gain a little ground.” Last year’s polesitter, Lukas, drove the fourth fastest time. Lining up behind him on the fifth grid spot is Porsche Junior Matt Campbell (AUS/Fach Auto Tech). “The vehicle’s balance wasn’t optimal. It felt much better than in free practice, but we have to work on a few things before the race. Basically, I really like this track and I’m looking forward to the race,” said the 22-year-old Australian.

Mattia Drudi (Dinamic Motorsport) from Italy occupied position six in qualifying. Seventh went to the 19-year-old Porsche Junior Thomas Preining (A/Konrad Motorsport), who celebrates his debut this weekend in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as a guest driver. “At the beginning it took some time to get used to the conditions, because I wasn’t accustomed to the rubber left on the track by the Formula 1 cars. I even made a tiny mistake during my fast lap shortly before the finish. I’ll take another good look at the data so that I know what I can improve on for the race,” said Preining. Britain’s Josh Webster (Fach Auto Tech) tackles the race from the eighth grid spot.

Round six on Sunday takes off at 11.30 hrs (CEST). As a service for the fans, live timing is now available on www.racecam.de. Eurosport broadcasts the race in 60 countries. Viewers in Germany, Great Britain and Italy can witness the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup live on Sky TV.

Qualifying Budapest
1. Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner MSG Racing Team), 1:46.926 min
2. Daniel Cammish (GB/Lechner MSG Racing Team), 1:47.107
3. Dennis Olsen (N/Walter Lechner Racing Team), 1:47.192
4. Robert Lukas (PL/Olimp Racing), 1:47.268
5. Matt Campbell (AUS/Fach Auto Tech), 1:47.290
6. Mattia Drudi (I/Dinamic Motorsport), 1:47.462
7. Thomas Preining (A/Konrad Motorsport), 1:47.518
8. Josh Webster (GB/Fach Auto Tech), 1:47.563
9. Dylan Pereira (L/Lechner Racing Middle East), 1:47.655
10. Piotr Parys (PL/Olimp Racing), 1:47.776



All reports on the previous season can be found in our archive.