Hockenheim: New record for penalty notices – 51 letters from race control

Of course, the white line at the end of the pit lane – and the fact that drivers are not allowed to cross it – was also a feature at Hockenheim. Pro Superstock Cup rider André Krüger was the first to do so on Friday. He received a warning. In the second free practice session, this mishap befell Sportbike rider Ty Henriksen. Niko Lehtiranta was also warned for crossing the white line. Also joining the club were ADAC Junior Cup rider Luigu Orsolino, Pro Superstock Cup rider Denis Kasper, Superbike rider Martin Vugrinec, as well as Moritz Konrad, Ariano Plaz, Jaden Immanuel, Justin Kräutler, Ivan Prader and Maximilian Hinrichs.

Fabian Hagemeier from the Kawasaki Cup was in a world of his own. He was determined to see the black-and-white chequered flag at the end of the first free practice session twice. For this, he received a warning. The same offence and the same warning were issued to his Cup colleague Jens Blang. Kawasaki Cup rider Luca van der Velde was also cautioned for failing to take Turn 12 as required during the first qualifying session. The same thing happened to his Cup colleague Timo Kubbinga.

Illegal parking

Collin Langer from the ADAC Junior Cup got off with a warning. He had left the track during the first free practice session and, according to race control, had returned to the track in an unsafe manner. Luis Mensching also made the same mistake. ADAC Junior Cup rider Louis Wolff had started the second free practice session without a transponder and was shown the black flag as a result. “Breach of pit exit regulations – motorbike is in the overtaking lane at the pit exit,” read the penalty notice issued to Junior Cup rider Yevsevii Kovalov. As a result, he was demoted three places on the starting grid for the first race. Junior Cup rider Fabian Beitschek also had to drop back three places, as his motorbike had been parked in an unsuitable position at the pit exit.

Bastian Ubl took to the track without tyre stickers during the Pro Superstock Cup qualifying session and was handed a double long lap penalty for the race as a result. Sport bike rider Lucas Sorensen had also entered the second qualifying session without stickers and was likewise required to complete two penalty laps during the race. Severin Salgo and Robert Stiehler from the Kawasaki Cup were also caught out by a lapse regarding their tyre stickers.

Black flag overlooked

ADAC Junior Cup rider Quinn de Joode had breached the grid procedure and was handed a double long lap. His Cup colleague Tiago Dhondt was also made to complete the long lap twice. The reason was a false start in Race 1. As an alternative penalty, he received a 23-second time penalty. Dutch sports bike rider Rick Kooistra also made a false start. As he did not complete the two long laps as scheduled, he was given a drive-through penalty; and as he apparently thought this was a daft idea and failed to serve it, he was ultimately shown the black flag and will certainly face a private meeting with race control. After all, he had also ignored the black flag.

Thomas Eder from the Euro Moto Supersport class was in a hurry in Race 1 and, following a false start, was made to complete the long lap twice. However, he messed up the drive-through and was handed the drive-through penalty on top of that. Kawasaki Cup rider Fabian Hagemeier also had to complete the long lap twice, as he had started the warm-up lap from the pit exit. He, too, swapped this for a drive-through penalty. As he failed to complete it, he was shown the black flag, which he then also ignored.

An expensive mistake

Marvin Kreimes from Euro Moto Supersport had taken part in the first free practice session without first presenting his kit for scrutineering. His times were disallowed and Kreimes received a warning. Guest rider Daniel Mogeda from the Euro Moto Sportbike class had also neglected to present his kit to the technical commissioners. After racing in Race 1 with an unapproved helmet, his result was struck off. Marco Fetz from the Euro Moto Superbike class had to dig deep into his pockets. He had to fork out 350 euros after riding with an unauthorised helmet camera during the second free practice session. His Superbike colleague Milan Merckelbagh had also used a helmet camera and found himself 350 euros poorer as a result.

Triple M Ducati Frankfurt team owner Matthias Moser had lodged a protest against guest rider Bálint Kovács and the electronics he was using. However, this was immediately rejected as Moser did not hold the required competitor’s licence to lodge the protest. Triple M rider Lukas Tulovic had his times from Superpole 2 struck off the results. He had exceeded the prescribed rev limit of 15,600 by 107 revolutions. As a result, he was relegated to ninth place and, according to race control, the incident was reported to the DMSB Sports Court. After the Moser protest had been unsuccessful, licence holder Lorenzo Zanetti followed suit and lodged another protest against Kovács and his electronics on Sunday morning. The protest was upheld. Kovács’s team lodged an appeal.

Rick Kooistra was subsequently issued with a 60-euro fine for ignoring the black flag. Fabian Hagemeier had also ignored the black flag and he, too, is now 60 euros poorer. ADAC Junior rider Luis Mensching received a warning and a fine of 130 euros. He had been travelling in the wrong direction on the service lane of the pit lane.