ADAC GT Masters·21.11.2013

Renauer expresses delight with runners-up title: The other 20-odd drivers would have been more than pleased

Had you told Porsche driver Robert Renauer before the start of the season that he would be in the frame to clinch the ADAC GT Masters title in the very last race and go on to end his second full season in the Super Sports Car League as runner-up, the Bavarian would probably have signed up immediately. "I'm very happy with how the year has gone," said Renauer, a few weeks after the season finale. "You always have to be pleased whenever you finish runner-up because coming second is still a fantastic achievement."

Renauer, team-mate Martin Ragginger and reserve driver Michael Christensen became title contenders by being very consistent in the Porsche 911 GT3 R. Renauer and Ragginger secured the only win of the season for Porsche at the Lausitzring, and Renauer even briefly took over the championship lead after the first race at the Slovakia Ring. However, the Porsche driver was unable to make up the deficit on champions, Alessi and Keilwitz, in the finale at Hockenheim.

Rather than being full of regret at being pipped at the post, Renauer is pleased with his achievements: "I think we achieved the maximum possible. I would say in retrospect that there were very few situations where anything went seriously wrong for us. Sure, we dipped out on points at the Red Bull Ring, as the Porsches were down on speed compared to last year due to the new wider front axle and revised aerodynamics. And even more would certainly have been possible at the Sachsenring, but still, we were very consistent overall and achieved some very good results. And of course, there's always a chance of failing to secure any points at all from time to time."

Renauer drives for Tonino powered by Herberth Motorsport and is also team manager along with twin brother Alfred. "Alfred and I look after business during the week," said the 28-year-old, "but on race weekends, we have people assisting, who are brilliant at getting things done, so that our role is simply to drive and we can concentrate solely on racing. We have a great team behind us, and everyone always does their bit to contribute towards our success."

Renauer was a title contender for the first time in his career at the season finale in Hockenheim: "The situation in the run-up to the finale was, of course, very difficult, but naturally, I still hoped to lift the title. However, those hopes soon evaporated after qualifying in view of our very mediocre grid positions. But at least, it was enough for the runners-up title, which is quite something in a championship series that is as competitive as the ADAC GT Masters. I'm sure that there are more than 20-odd other drivers in the series, who would be more than happy to finish runner-up at the end of the year."

In the interim, the Renauer twins have already been working hard on preparations for the upcoming season, interrupted only by a short trip to Asia and the Macau Grand Prix: "We feel very much at home in the ADAC GT Masters, but as always, it is still too early to say anything definite about next season."