On the 25.378 kilometre long Nürburgring-Nordschleife combination, the 23-year-old German clinched victory on Saturday ahead of Philipp Eng (A/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) and Christopher Zöchling (A/Konrad Motorsport). This marks the first time a Porsche Junior has won a Carrera Cup race on the Nordschleife. “That was awesome! It was my dream to win here. I’m over the moon,” said an ecstatic Müller.

The foundation for Müller’s success at the wheel of his 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup was already laid at the start. Taking up the race from pole position, he pulled clear at the head and held on to his lead to the flag. Eng, who started from the second grid spot, at times came within a second of the leader. “Every lap in the nine-eleven on the Nordschleife is unbelievable fun. My start was really good and I almost got past Sven. But ultimately it’s the points that are important to me,” explained the reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. Zöchling from Austria also put in an impressive performance. Coming from sixth on the grid, he moved up into third shortly after the start. “Unfortunately four laps on the Nordschleife are not enough. It was really cool to drive here. My car was superb and I’m very happy with my podium result,” said the Konrad Motorsport pilot.

Bad luck for Christian Engelhart

Michael Ammermüller (D/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) saw the flag as fourth, with Alex Riberas (E/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) trailing him in fifth. Bad luck plagued two-time Hockenheim winner Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing): The 28-year-old’s car sustained radiator damage after a slight contact with another competitor, which forced him to park his car in the pit lane. He went home empty-handed.

Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (I/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) pushed through from tenth on the grid to claim seventh. “I’m happy with my performance. At the flag things got tight and I had to fend off the guy behind me. Luckily it worked and I could hold on to my position,” said the 18-year-old champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia.

Jeffrey Schmidt is leading the overall rankings

Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land-Motorsport) from America damaged his vehicle so badly on Friday during qualifying that his car could not be repaired in time for the race the next day. Thanks to the sportsmanlike gesture of his New Zealand teammate Peter Scharmach, who as a guest driver lent him his car, de Phillippi could still contest the race. Due to the vehicle swap, the American had to start from the very last grid position and worked his way up through the pack from 23rd to eleventh. “It’s difficult, of course, when you come from the very back. Still, I managed to make up a lot of positions. My thanks go to Peter, because the points I earned could ultimately be decisive in the championship,” said the 22-year-old.

Leading the overall rankings is Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East) with 42 points, ahead of Engelhart and Eng (both 40 points). Races four and five of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland are contested from 29 to 31 May on the Lausitzring.