Leonard Hoogenboom (23/NLD, DKR Engineering) set the fastest lap time of 1:32.729 minutes in the first free practice session of the Prototype Cup Germany in a sunny Zandvoort. The Dutchman, who is making his first appearance in the Prototype Cup Germany and shares his Duqueine with Pedro Perino (18/PRT), was 0.388 seconds faster than Valentino Catalano (17/Westheim) / Robin Rogalski (22/POL, both DKR Engineering). Nico Göhler (20/Grasleben) / Gustavo Kiryla (29/BRA, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) ended the session in third place, followed by championship leaders Oscar Tunjo (27/COL) and Julien Apothéloz (22/CHE, both van ommen racing by DataLab), with Matthias Lüthen (42/Hamburg) and Laurents Hörr (25/Gerlingen, both Koiranen Kemppi Motorsport) fifth fastest.

“It was a good free practice,” said Hoogenboom. “Two years ago, I spent a season driving for DKR Engineering, so I knew that the team does a good job. Plus, Zandvoort is my home circuit, and I always enjoy racing there. I think we are ready for this weekend.” Not only is Hoogenboom well prepared, but so is the second DKR car, with Catalano / Rogalski at the wheel: the German/Polish duo, currently third in the overall standings in the Prototype Cup Germany, ended FP1 in second place. Hoogenboom / Perino, meanwhile, are making their debut in Zandvoort in the LMP3 series organised by the ADAC and Creventic.

Third-placed Nico Göhler was also happy with his performance at the Formula 1 circuit in the dunes on the North Sea coast. “I know Zandvoort and like the track, which definitely helped in the first free practice session of the weekend. Compared to Formula 4, in which I have driven here in the past, you definitely need a bit more courage in some of the corners in the more powerful LMP3 prototypes. However, I had a good feeling from the word go, and that was ultimately shown in the times. Having said that, I am sure that I can go faster, as I was stuck in traffic a little. However, I think it was the same story for my rivals.”