Audi and Phoenix Racing win the 24 2019 Hours of Nürburgring

The Phoenix Racing team triumphed on the Nordschleife (Germany), at the end of the 24 Hours contested on June 22 and 23. In the Audi R8 LMS, Pierre Kaffer, Frank Stippler, Frederic Vervisch and Dries Vanthoor took first place after many twists and turns in the morning. This is the first victory for Pierre Kaffer, Frédéric Vervisch and Dries Vanthoor, while Frank Stippler pockets his third crown in the Green Hell.

The race changed at 12:30 p.m., when the Race Direction decided to impose a penalty of 5'32'' on the Porsche 911 GT3 R n°911 from Manthey-Racing, then in the lead. Laurens Vanthoor was in fact found guilty of speeding during a neutralized section. The Belgian drove at 172 km/h instead of 120 km/h. Starting second, more than a minute behind the leader, his teammate Kevin Estre was unable to catch up with the Audi. 

Third place goes to Mercedes of Maxi Buhk, Hubert Haupt, Thomas Jäger and Luca Stolz, behind for most of the event but who took advantage of various mechanical problems. For example, Kelvin van der Linde (Audi) should theoretically regain the lead of the event after the Porsche's penalty, but suffered a puncture.

The Frikadelli Racing Porsche entrusted in particular to Romain Dumas and Mathieu Jaminet was second before suffering a similar fate. 

In the Mercedes clan, after the fall of poleman Maro Engel on Saturday evening, hopes were pinned on the yellow car of Christian Hohenadel, Lance David Arnold, Raffaele Marciello and Maximilian Götz. Unfortunately, the latter made a mistake shortly after 10 a.m. and retired, while he was running in second place. 

The moment of sadness for @Max_Goetz...#24hNBR pic.twitter.com/hXy51BN8gW

— ADAC TOTAL 24h-Rennen Nürburgring (@24hNBR) 23th June 2019

Find in issue 2222 of AUTOhebdo, on sale Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands, the analysis of the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring by our special correspondent.

Results 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2019: