D: Patrick Huisman Norisring summary

PATRICK HUISMAN MISSES OUT ON POSSIBLE PODIUM FINISH BECAUSE OF INTERNAL MISCOMMUNICATION

NUREMBERG. Patrick Huisman showed to be a strong contender for victory at this weekend's fifth round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. At the Norisring circuit (Germany), the Hermes Attempto Racing driver topped the timesheets in Friday's free practise session and qualified in fifth position on Saturday. In the pre-grid procedure however a miscommunication between Huisman and his team led to a grid penalty, forcing him to start at the back of the grid. In his eager to get back to the front, Huisman collided with Patrick Hirsch in the early stages of the 35-lap race and was forced to retire with an inflating rear tyre.

FREE PRACTISES AND QUALIFYING

Because of its special atmosphere and the location next to the `Dutzendteich lake', the 2.3-kilometre Norisring is often called `The German Monaco'. In Friday's free practise sessions at the ultra short street circuit in the centre of Nuremberg, Patrick Huisman was immediately on the pace and even posted the quickest time in the afternoon session. In qualifying therefore, Huisman aimed for a front row grid position. Even though Huisman set an extremely competitive lap time (52.371s) he had to settle for P5, but was nevertheless still very satisfied about his current form.

PATRICK HUISMAN: "Because of the characteristics of this track, the level of competition is really high. The first 20 drivers have qualified within one second of the pole position time, and I was only 0.187s behind Nicolas Armindo. Baring all the traffic in mind, I'm still quite satisfied with my grid position as it gives me a good chance of fighting for victory or a podium finish."

RACE

As all drivers were afraid to face difficulties to get their tyres up to temperature before the start of the race, Huisman and his Hermes Attempto Racing team decided to do two installation laps in the available five minute before everyone has to take in his grid position. But with already too much time being spoiled by everyone exiting the pit lane, Huisman ran out of time to complete his second installation lap and was therefore demoted to the back of the grid. In the first lap of the race, Huisman showed his true racing skills by overtaking 10 drivers at the twisty street circuit. In his attempt to overtake Patrick Hirsch for 20th position, the two ran into each other, resulting in considerable screen damage around Huisman's left rear wheel which eventually inflated his tyre. As repairs would take too long, Huisman and his team decided to retire in lap 09.

PATRICK HUISMAN: "It's very disappointing to end our weekend like this, as we had a great chance of bringing the car home in probably a podium position. We simply didn't reckon it would took the other drivers more than 2,5 minutes to exit the pit lane at the start of the grid procedure, after which we ran out of time completing our planned two installation laps. Maybe the team should have informed me about the time already passed, but they were also very busy getting access to the grid, so I can't blame them. I will keep my head high as next weekend the British GP is already on the programme in the Porsche Supercup Challenge. Hopefully this will provide me with a new shot at post-race champagne!"

-credit: patrickhuisman.com