FMG holds his nerve to claim first win as Porcu’s charge falls short
The vast straights of Hockenheim’s forest section promised a slipstream battle, and the race delivered a tactical thriller. FMG, starting from pole, controlled the pace with metronomic precision, fending off a relentless Simone Porcu. At the flag just 1.9 seconds split them, with Florian Masse completing the podium after surviving a bruising start.
Qualifying: FMG lays down a marker
Saturday saw FMG stamp authority on proceedings, taking pole with a 1:53.256, ahead of Porcu (1:53.624) and Eetu Karjunen (1:53.675). Masse, fourth with a 1:53.908, had the pace to be in the fight but needed a clean first lap to capitalize.
The race
Start and first-lap fireworks
When the lights went out, FMG got away cleanly, Porcu slotting into his slipstream. Behind, chaos: Eduardo Beninca, Masse, and Nat Stevenson all tangled in the stadium section within the opening minute, scattering debris and unsettling Masse’s rhythm. Stevenson’s afternoon would unravel further—an off into the barriers at minute 4 left him nursing damage before retiring mid-distance.
Porcu applies pressure
The duel for the win crystallized by lap 5. Porcu, his Lotus-liveried Prc Racing Team car visibly trimmed out for top speed, shadowed FMG at every split. On lap 10, Porcu set the fastest tour of the day: 1:54.447, underlining the Italian’s intent. But FMG never cracked—his lines through the second chicane and Ostkurve exit consistently rebuilt the gap before the stadium.
Masse rebuilds, Karjunen hangs on
Shaken from the early contact, Masse steadied himself. A string of 1:55-lows re-established his podium claim, eventually gapping Karjunen. The Finn briefly threatened in the first stint but couldn’t match Masse’s consistency.
Meisinger impresses
Quietly, Simon Meisinger delivered one of his sharpest drives yet, staying with the leaders’ pace. His best lap, 1:54.807, showed he had the outright speed, and fifth place with over an hour of error-free running was reward for precision.
Late incidents
Drama wasn’t confined to the start. Around the 50-minute mark, Ramen Grosjeant clashed with Karjunen in the stadium, both limping home with battered machinery. Beninca, after his early clash, retired after just 4 laps, while Stevenson and Grosjeant joined the non-finishers’ column later on.
Provisional classification – Top 5 (32 laps)
- FMG — 61:47.550 (best lap 1:54.488)
- Simone Porcu — 61:49.498 (+1.948s, fastest lap 1:54.447)
- Florian Masse — 62:13.674 (+26.124s)
- Eetu Karjunen — 62:46.220 (+58.670s)
- Simon Meisinger — 62:48.858 (+1:01.308)
Championship picture (drop-score applied)
With the scoring system (P1 40, P2 37, P3 34, P4 31, P5 30, P6 29…), the standings after Hockenheim and the drop-race rule are:
- Simone Porcu — 117 pts (Monza 40, Long Beach 0 [dropped], Jarama 40, Hockenheim 37).
- FMG — 108 pts (Monza 0 [dropped], Long Beach 31, Jarama 37, Hockenheim 40).
- Florian Masse — 108 pts (Monza 37, Long Beach 37, Jarama 34 [dropped], Hockenheim 34).
- gilvil77 — 89 pts (Monza 31, Long Beach 29, Jarama 29, Hockenheim 0 [dropped]).
- pitman — 84 pts (Monza 30, Long Beach 25, Jarama 0 [dropped], Hockenheim 29).
Porcu retains the lead thanks to two victories, but FMG’s Hockenheim triumph vaults him level with Masse. The championship narrative is now clear: a three-way fight, with Porcu’s consistency giving him the edge, but FMG and Masse armed with both speed and momentum.
Reporter’s notebook
- FMG’s metronomy: 20 of his 32 laps were within three-tenths of each other.
- Porcu’s chicane conundrum: consistently gained on straights but lost vital tenths through the second chicane.
- Masse’s grit: salvaged a podium after lap-one chaos; those points may prove golden in the title chase.
- Unsung hero: Meisinger’s 1:54.8 best lap was on par with Porcu; a podium looks within reach if attrition swings his way.
