Peter Mücke, team principal of BWT Mücke Motorsport, firmly believes that the Prototype Cup Germany is the perfect platform for aspiring young racers to kickstart a professional career in motorsport. Having joined the LMP3 series from ADAC and Creventic two years ago, Mücke is confident that this step was the right decision for both his team and the future of young drivers aiming for success in the world of endurance racing.
For many years, Germany had a strong foundation in Formula racing, which allowed young talents to work their way up the motorsport ladder. However, Peter Mücke points out that with the decline of Formula sports in the country and the high financial barrier to Formula 1, the LMP3 series now provides a much more accessible and realistic route to a professional racing career. According to Mücke, the Prototype Cup Germany, with its focus on LMP3 cars, is the best choice for young drivers looking to develop their skills and make a name for themselves in the competitive world of motorsport.
“Previously, young talents had the opportunity to progress through Formula racing in Germany. Sadly, that’s no longer the case,” Mücke says. “And let’s be honest, even in the past, making it to Formula 1 was only achievable for a select few. The situation is different now in the LMP sport. There are many more opportunities, and the foundation for an LMP career is laid in LMP3. The drivers learn much more in these cars because they are real race cars. And they can do this within an acceptable budget, while also benefiting from the incredible environment of the DTM races. By the way, I believe the Prototype Cup Germany, with its attractive race cars, also adds extra value and variety to the DTM weekend.”
The Benefits of Sharing a Car
One of the common concerns among young drivers is the idea of sharing a car with a teammate. However, Mücke presents several counterarguments to this concern, emphasizing the advantages of this arrangement.
“In the Prototype Cup Germany, each driver gets their own qualifying session. This gives every driver the chance to fully showcase their skills and achieve their own results,” Mücke explains. “This makes it easy to compare each driver’s qualifying performance, as both are driving the exact same car. Even in the race, every driver can leave their mark with strong stints and impressive performances. And let’s not forget, sharing a car with a teammate has a significant financial benefit: you split the budget.”
The Success of Young Talent: Valentino Catalano and Markus Pommer
Mücke points to the success of Valentino Catalano, a young driver who won the championship in 2023 alongside the experienced Markus Pommer, as a testament to the viability of the Prototype Cup Germany as a stepping stone for talented young drivers.
“I think it was extremely important because it showed that young talents can succeed in the Prototype Cup Germany. This path is absolutely achievable,” Mücke reflects. “Riccardo Leone Cirelli, another of our drivers, was also crucial in raising the profile of the Prototype Cup Germany among young drivers. He came almost directly from karting with very little Formula 4 experience, yet he was immediately competitive. We quickly noticed that more and more young drivers are turning their attention to the Cup. We had many inquiries for 2025, and we’ve already signed some contracts in 2024. We’re still getting interest, so it’s even possible that we might field a third car.”
Attractiveness for Trophy Drivers
Mücke is also confident that the Prototype Cup Germany offers great value for Trophy drivers—those who may not be aiming for a professional career but still want to enjoy competitive racing at an affordable price.
“Absolutely, the Prototype Cup Germany is also an attractive option for Trophy drivers,” says Mücke. “The relatively manageable budget is a significant draw for them. The calendar is also beneficial, with races only in Germany and neighboring countries, meaning no long-haul travel is required. This is often an important consideration for businesspeople, as motorsport must fit into their professional schedules.”
The Appeal for Teams
For teams, the challenge of tuning and optimizing the LMP3 cars is an appealing aspect of the Prototype Cup Germany. Mücke highlights that this presents a unique challenge even for professional teams, while also providing valuable experience that could be beneficial for drivers in their future careers.
“Tuning the LMP3 cars to perfection and making them as fast as possible is a real challenge, but that’s what we’re looking for,” Mücke explains. “It’s also rewarding to know that we can teach drivers things that will be useful for their potential professional careers. For us at Mücke Motorsport, I can honestly say that I’m very happy we decided to enter the Cup alongside my son Stefan in 2023. We come from a background in junior Formula racing and have spent many years in that field. Just like Formula cars, LMP3 cars are true race cars, built solely for racing. They’re basically Formula cars with a roof. We’re fully committed to this and really enjoy being part of the Prototype Cup Germany.”
The Decision to Stick with the 2020-2024 Homologation Model
Looking ahead to 2025, Mücke agrees with the decision made by ADAC and Creventic to continue using the homologation model from 2020 to 2024. He believes this decision is both practical and financially sound.
“Absolutely, it’s a very sensible decision,” Mücke says. “I believe that with the 2024 car, drivers can learn just as much as with the 2025 model. What’s more important is keeping costs under control. With the current cars, we can offer the season at a more affordable price than if we had to invest in new technology. I also like the other modifications to the regulations. This is the result of excellent cooperation between the teams and the organizers at ADAC and Creventic, who asked for our input and then took it into account.”
Peter Mücke’s endorsement of the Prototype Cup Germany as the best platform for young drivers is compelling. With the decline of traditional Formula racing paths in Germany, the LMP3 series has emerged as an accessible and exciting alternative. The opportunity to race real, high-performance race cars on a manageable budget, while gaining invaluable experience, makes it an ideal starting point for aspiring professionals.
The growing interest in the series, as demonstrated by the many inquiries for 2025 and the success of young talents like Valentino Catalano and Riccardo Leone Cirelli, underscores the potential of the Prototype Cup Germany as a proving ground for the next generation of motorsport stars. For Mücke and his team, the series offers not just a chance to compete but an opportunity to mentor and shape the careers of young drivers, just as they did in the world of Formula racing. With its competitive environment, professional organization, and emphasis on learning, the Prototype Cup Germany is proving to be a key stepping stone in the motorsport world.