Van Merksteijn Motorsport on pole at the Nürburgring

The strong performance by Van Merksteijn Motorsport by Equipe Verschuur with the Porsche RS Spyder is continuing after the long break in the calendar of the Le Mans Series. In qualifying for the fourth season round of the LMS, the Nürburgring 1000 Kilometres, Jos Verstappen set the fastest time in the LMP2 class. The ex-Formula 1 driver lapped the 5.148 kilometres long famous circuit in the Eifel region in a time of 1.43.169 minutes, which made him almost half a second faster than the main opponent in the category. With his lap time, Verstappen qualified seventh overall, beating no less than ten cars from the more powerful LMP1 category.

The 20 minutes’ qualifying session for LMP1 and LMP2 prototypes at the Nürburgring went without any incidents to speak of. In his first attempt to set a fast lap time, Jos Verstappen was caught up in traffic on the track and set a time of 1.44.035 minutes, which put him provisionally on second place in class. Soon after, he drove another quick lap and had his time stopped at 1.43.169 minutes.

This time remained unbeaten by the other teams in the category, so that the purple-and-white Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder again will be starting from pole position in its class. Thus, the team keep their 100 percent qualifying record in the Le Mans Series, as the Dutch team were also fastest in class in the three previous LMS rounds held this season, just like in qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Of course, Jos Verstappen was very happy with his qualifying result. "We knew beforehand that this circuit wit hits many corners would suit our Porsche very well. Qualifying went well, we didn’t have any problems", Verstappen said. Team-mate Jeroen Bleekemolen added: "After the first free practice session yesterday, we made some changes on the car, among others the ride height and the rollbar, which worked out very well. Our long-run yesterday was very good already and qualifying also went well. We are very optimistic for the race!"

Team owner Peter van Merksteijn is competing in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, the German round of the World Rally Championship, not too far away from the Nürburgring. "Of course, I am following the action at the circuit as well, the team are keeping me informed", he reported from Trier. "I wish Jos and Jeroen very good luck!"

The 195 lap race with a maximum duration of six hours will start tomorrow at 12.05 h. Eurosport 2 will be broadcasting live from 12.00 till 13.00 h, from 14.00 till 15.30 h and from 17.00 till 18.15 h. Motors TV will be broadcasting live from 11.45 till 18.00 h and a full radio report can be heard on www.radiolemans.com.

Verstappen-J. Bleekemolen (NL), Porsche RS Spyder, 1.43.169

Nielsen-Elgaard (DK), Porsche RS Spyder, 1.43.608

Belicchi-Zacchia-Pompidou (I-CH-F), Lola B08/80 Coupé-Judd, 1.43.981

- René de Boer -also photo

Photos on automobilsport.com under PHOTOS - LE MANS SERIES