THE BLANCPAIN SPRINT CUP FINALE WAS so frenetic and dramatic that two unexpected title contenders – of the 13 drivers who entered the weekend with a shot at the championship – didn’t even realise they were fighting for the crown when the crucial pass was made.
BLANCPAIN SPRINT CUP
NURBURGRING (D)
SEPTEMBER 16-17
ROUND 5/5Robin Frijns ensured he took an unlikely title alongside Stuart Leonard with a bold pass for the lead around WRT Audi stablemate Markus Winkelhock – who in turn was in title contention with co-driver Will Stevens – on the approach to Turn 1 in the closing stages.
“I did not really expect an attack from Robin,” Winkelhock said afterwards. “There was a misunderstanding on the radio to not attack each other and as he was overtaking I was not defending like I would normally do when it is about a championship.”
Winkelhock’s confusion was understandable. A series of twists and turns eliminated their many title rivals and led to the unpredicted non-battle for the win.
This story is from the September 21,2017 edition of Autosport.
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This story is from the September 21,2017 edition of Autosport.
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