Race 2: Matsuura wins thriller

Matsuura (Prema Powerteam) and pole sitter Joao Paulo de Oliveira (Swiss Racing Team) fought out a terrific slipstreaming duel between the trees, with the lead changing between them lap after lap. He took the verdict by less than a second at the chequered flag, ahead of Saturday race winner de Oliveira.

"This is a big day for me," said a delighted Matsuura, who took his first win outside his native Japan.

Stefan Mucke (Mucke Motorsport) took third after a battle with Norbert Siedler (Palfinger) and championship protagonist Pierre Kaffer (Team Kolles). The latter's fifth place has moved him up to second in the championship ahead of Frank Diefenbacher (BSR), who could only finish tenth, and is now just six points behind series leader Toshihiro Kaneishi (BSR).

The championship's other Japanese driver didn't have such a good day at Hockenheim, Kaneishi finishing only eighth. Also down in the dumps was Britain's Gary Paffett, who was a first lap casualty after a collision with Sweden's Bjorn Wirdheim.

Kousuke Matsuura, Prema Powerteam Dallara F301-Opel, 12 laps
Joao Paulo de Oliveira, Swiss Racing Team Dallara F301-Opel, +0.9s
Stefan Mucke, Mucke Motorsport Dallara F301-Opel, +2.3s
Norbert Siedler, Palfinger Dallara F301-Opel, +4.7s
Pierre Kaffer, Team Kolles Dallara F301-Mugen, +8.0s
Matteo Grassotto, Cram Competition Dallara F301-Opel, +12.9s

Kaneishi, 117
Kaffer, 111
Diefenbacher, 115
Mucke, 82
Winkelhock, 67
Matsuura, 67