Philipp Frommenwiler can look back with satisfaction on his first season in the ADAC GT Masters. The talented young driver from Kreuzlingen in Switzerland invited his sponsors and business partners to join him in Güttingen on Lake Constance last weekend to reflect on the 2013 campaign. The 24-year-old has cause to celebrate, having notched up three podium appearances and also having been voted Best Rookie in the highly competitive Super Sports Car League.

Philipp Frommenwiler embarked on this latest stage of his career at the start of the 2013 season. His debut in the ADAC GT Masters was the first time that he had shared the cockpit of a racing car with a team-mate, in this case a Farnbacher Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R with Mario Farnbacher as co-driver. "It wasn't easy at first, and we had quite a bit of bad luck," says Frommenwiler. "But on balance, the season was very successful. We scored impressive results on more than one occasion."

Frommenwiler has especially fond memories of the first race weekend of the year at Oschersleben. After qualifying third in Race 1, the Swiss youngster went on to finish as runner-up. And in the second race of the same weekend, he and Mario Farnbacher once again earned a podium appearance. "Even that early in the season, we showed what we were capable of. Obviously, the opposition were pretty amazed." Frommenwiler has a broad grin on his face as he recalls how they actually led the championship standings after the opening weekend in Saxony-Anhalt.

Philipp Frommenwiler's performance over the season as a whole made him the most successful newcomer to the series and consequently won him the accolade of Best Rookie in the ADAC GT Masters. "At the end of the day, I owe this success to my sponsors and partners. I offer my thanks to all those people who supported me and believed in me throughout." Frommenwiler by no means restricted his efforts to the ADAC GT Masters during the past year. His ambitious programme also included competing in the legendary 24-hour race around the North Loop of the Nürburgring and a guest appearance in the VLN Endurance Championship.

The pressure has temporarily eased off for Philipp Frommenwiler, even though preparations for the next season are already in full swing. "We are currently considering various options for putting together the best possible package," he says. "I am determined to mount a vigorous campaign and intend to start the coming season even more strongly that the one just past."