Mücke: “The foundation for an LMP career can be laid in the Prototype Cup Germany”. BWT Mücke Motorsport receives many enquiries for 2025 from talented youngsters. Entering the Prototype Cup Germany was the right step for Mücke.
BWT Mücke Motorsport has been racing in the Prototype Cup Germany for two years, and team principal Peter Mücke is still happy with the decision to enter the LMP3 series, organised by the ADAC and Creventic, in 2023. In his opinion, the Prototype Cup Germany is the best option for young racing drivers stiving to carve out a professional career and, from the perspective of a Trophy driver, he believes the series is a good choice.
BWT Mücke Motorsport repeatedly emphasises how positive the Prototype Cup Germany is for young drivers. Why is that? “Previously, boys and girls in Germany were able to work their way up the ladder in Formula racing. Unfortunately, we no longer have that and, if we are honest, the route into Formula 1 was only ever possible for a very small number of drivers. It is a different story in LMP racing now. There are definitely more opportunities here, and the foundation for a career in LMP racing is now laid in LMP3. The starters learn far more than in other cars, because it is a real race car. And they can do that for an acceptable budget and in the great environment of the DTM. By the way, I feel that the Prototype Cup Germany and its attractive race cars have added to the DTM weekend and given it greater variety.”
Sometimes, talented youngsters do not want to share their car with a team-mate. What are the arguments against this objection? “In the Prototype Cup Germany, every driver has their own qualifying. Therefore, they also have the chance to showcase their talents on their own and to achieve their own result. That makes it perfect to compare with the qualifying result of their team-mate, as they are both driving exactly the same car. In the race too, every driver can make their own mark and catch the eye with good performances during their stint. Plus, it is worth remembering that there is one very positive aspect to two drivers in one car: they share the budget.”
How important was it that last year saw a talented youngster – Valentino Catalano – crowned champion alongside the experienced Markus Pommer? “I think that was very important, as it showed that talented young drivers can succeed in the Prototype Cup Germany. This route is absolutely achievable. Riccardo Leone Cirelli, who we had in our team, was also important for the standing of the Prototype Cup Germany in the eyes of young drivers. He virtually came straight into the series from the karting scene, with very little Formula 4 experience, and was among the front-runners from the word go. Incidentally, we noticed very quickly that the Cup is increasingly on the radar of young racers: we had many enquiries from young racing drivers for 2025 and even signed the first contracts back in 2024. We are still receiving interest, so much so that we could run a third car.”
Is the Prototype Cup Germany also attractive for Trophy drivers? “Most definitely. The budget, which is relatively manageable by motorsport standards, is also nice for them. The calendar is another positive for them, as we only race in Germany and neighbouring countries, which means there are no long trips. For example, this is always an argument for business people, as motor racing must also fit into their professional calendar.”
How interesting is the Prototype Cup Germany to teams? “Finding the perfect set-up for the LMP3 cars and making them so fast is a challenge for professional teams – but one that we embrace. It is also nice to be able to give the drivers something, which they can use in any subsequent career as a professional. All I can say for us at Mücke Motorsport is that I am really happy that, together with my son Stefan, we decided to enter the Cup in 2023. We come from the junior Formula scene, where we spent many years. Like the various different Formula cars, the LMP3 cars are real race cars, built exclusively for racing. They are essentially Formula racers with a roof. We are totally committed and really like the Prototype Cup Germany.”
The ADAC and Creventic have decided to continue to use the model from the 2020 to 2024 homologation period. Is that the correct decision? “Absolutely, it is a very sensible decision. I believe that you can learn just as much with the car from 2024 as you could with the 2025 model, and believe it is more important to keep an eye on the costs. With the existing material, we can present the season more economically than if we first had to invest in new technology. I also like the other changes to the regulations. They are the result of a very good cooperation between the teams and the ADAC and Creventic, who asked and listened to our opinion.”
