UNAVOIDABLE EARLY END OF THE RACE BUT POINTS IN HOCKENHEIM
The penultimate round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and the Hockenheim circuit did not smile on the Pandas. The #90 Mercedes AMG of Sean Walkinshaw, Ezequiel Companc and Patrick Assenheimer was the collateral victim of an accident between two other cars. Creating too much damage on Malena, the team was forced to withdraw at mid-race. The team still goes back home with points thanks to Ezequiel’s podium in Esports.
The practice sessions were encouraging on this track that the crew and Sean had just discovered. After a really tight qualifying, all that was left was to make a good race and gain as many places as possible. A 30-minute safety car right after the start added to this unavoidable contact have reduced all the chances to do a great result.
Besides this retirement, the Madpanda crew leaves Germany with four points. Indeed, Ezequiel took second place in the Fanatec SRO Esports race held on the Japanese circuit of Suzuka. The Pandas are currently third of the Esports Silver standings with a total of eight points. As a reminder, they won the championship last year.
The last two races of the season will take place in Spain. The Spanish team will participate in the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint in Valencia in mid-September (16-18). The 2022 season will close its curtains with the Barcelona round, a home race (Sep 30 - Oct 2).
Patrick Assenheimer, driver: “What a shame to end a race like this. I was in a fight with four cars and one car spun in front of me and I had no chance to avoid it and crashed into him. Besides that, it was really a pleasure to be again part of the Madpanda Team. The atmosphere was like coming home to a family. Now I wish the Panda’s good luck and all the best for the rest of the season and hopefully we will see us soon again!”
Sean Walkinshaw, driver: “Challenging weekend in Hockenheim but we made good progress. I improved in my stint and Patrick was doing very well before the contact which was not his fault. It’s a shame because we were aiming for good points in Silver Cup…But these things happen and hopefully we can have more luck for the end of the season and I’m sure that we will!”
Ezequiel Companc, driver and team principal: “It was a pleasure to have Patrick back in the team! We had potential during the race, but an unavoidable accident made us DNF. I am happy that Patrick didn't get any injury from it, since it was a big one. Now we focus on the next home races in Spain.”
