GT: First-lap pounce sets up HTP Mercedes win

 

Maximillian Buhk and Dominik Baumann took advantage of a chaotic first lap at the Hungaroring to score a victory that keeps their Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup title hopes alive.

The HTP Mercedes was the chief beneficiary when Tristan Vautier's AKKA-ASP Mercedes attempted to dive up the inside of the polesitting WRT Audi of Enzo Ide at Turn 2. Both ran wide and collected the third-placed WRT Audi of Frederic Vervisch, allowing Buhk to sweep past the three of them on the inside.

Vervisch capitalized on a mistake from Ide following a brief full course yellow and began to mount an attack on Buhk, but after Baumann emerged from the pits ahead of Laurens Vanthoor, the Belgian switched his attentions to defending from Ide's co-driver Christopher Mies.

Purple sectors on his out-lap and the fastest lap of the race on his next had been a signal of Mies' intent, but despite following Vanthoor for several laps, the German wasn't able to find a way past.

Canny driving and slick pit work helped Will Stevens and Rene Rast to finish fourth for WRT after qualifying down in 23rd position.

After working their way up to 10th in the qualifying race, Rast handed over to Stevens from seventh, but emerged from the pits ahead of the AKKA Mercedes now being driven by Felix Rosenqvist, who had qualified on pole.

Much like Mies, Rosenqvist was unable to get close enough to attempt a move and would have to settle for fifth, ahead of the second HTP Mercedes of Bernd Schneider and Jules Szymkowiak – which had been forced wide on the opening lap in avoidance of Vautier.

On a weekend dominated by Audi and Mercedes, the M-Sport Bentleys were the best of the rest, with Maxime Soulet's long opening stint resulting in a ninth-place finish for himself and Andy Soucek, ahead of the sister car of Steven Kane and Vincent Abril.

The Garage 59 McLaren of Rob Bell and Alvaro Parente came into the weekend leading the points, but came away a frustrated 17th after damage during Bell's opening stint resulted in a slow pit stop.

Originally on Autosport.com