At the start of the race and in the early stages it appeared as if the leading trio from the first race, Kreim, Tom Nittel (#7) and Maxime Oosten (#54) would be standing on the podium again. Both Nittel and Oosten made solid starts and fought for second position as they did in race one, this time with Nittel ahead. However, the German and the Dutchman were demoted down the field after receiving penalties.

Maxime Oosten was given a drive-through penalty after a collision with Leonard Hoogenboom (#27). Hoogenboom, who was the quickest driver in the field at times, completed a courageous overtake at the high-speed turn one to take third position. However, he wasn’t ahead for long, after Oosten caused him to spin and then retire from the race. Hoogenboom’s BMW M2 CS Racing was left stranded on the circuit, which brought out the safety car on lap 15. Once the safety car returned to the pits, the drivers were left with a two-lap sprint to the finish.

“It was really crazy,” said the 22-year-old Hungarian Robert Hefler, delighted with his second place. “Of course the safety car helped me a little, as I had an awful start and found myself back in 12th position. But then I pushed as hard as I could and fought my way back through the field. I had really good race pace today.”

Diego Stifter was in an even better mood. Not only is the Italian the youngest driver in the BMW M2 Cup, he was also the best rookie in race two. Stifter wasn’t the only new driver to enjoy success at the Lausitzring: Michal Makeš improved to fourth position, while Sean Fuster finished in fifth.

The third race of the BMW M2 Cup at the Norisring takes place on Saturday 2 July. The weekend at the street circuit in Nuremberg is also BMW’s home race.