Martin Andersen is the first leader of TCR Germany

Martin Andersen emerged as the first leader of the ADAC TCR Championship after the season opener at Oschersleben. The Dane finished second in Race 1 behind the Hyundai Veloster of Jessica Bäckman and then drove his Honda Civic to a lights-to-flag win in Race 2.  

In Race 1, pole sitter Andersen made a bad start and dropped to fourth, while Bäckman led the field from Jonas Karklys and Szymon Ładniak. The Dane chased his teammate and eventually passed in for third in lap 5, while the Pole tried to defend the fourth place from René Kircher. In lap 10, Andersen passed Karklys moving into second and closed the gap to Bäckman. However, the Swedish lady was able to keep him at bay until the end, while Kircher overtook Ładniak for fourth two laps before the end.

Andersen was on pole for the second race as well, while Bäckman closed the grid after a technical issue had prevented her from posting a time in Qualifying 2. Andersen made a great start and led for the whole race; he was chased by Karklys and Albert Legutko during the opening lap, but then ran away, while Karklys followed him a few seconds behind. The battle for third saw both Kircher and Ładniak passing Legutko who defended the fifth position from the charging Bäckman until his Honda Civic FK2 went off the track, which prompted the safety car into action. The race resumed with one lap to go; Andersen went on to win while Karklys kept Kircher at bay to finish second.

The next event will be at the Red Bull Ring on 21/22 May.

Oschersleben – Race 1
1. Jessica Bäckman (ROJA Motorsport, Hyundai Veloster N), 21 laps
2. Martin Andersen (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Honda Civic Type R), 0.587
3. Jonas Karklys (Nordpass Juta Racing, Hyundai i30 N), 7.066

Oschersleben – Race 2
1. Martin Andersen (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Honda Civic Type R), 19 laps
2. Jonas Karklys (Nordpass Juta Racing, Hyundai i30 N), 2.011
3. René Kircher (ROJA Motorsport, Hyundai i30 N), 4.465

Championship points
1. M. Andersen, 65 pts; 2. J. Karklys, 50; 3. J. Bäckman 44

Picture: ADAC Motorsport/Gruppe C Photography