This year, ADAC GT Masters champion Diego Alessi will again race a Corvette Z06.R prepared by Callaway Competition in the Super Sports Cars League and has a new team-mate. The 42-year-old Italian will share the Corvette with young driver Patrick Assenheimer. The 21-year-old from southern Germany is no stranger to fans at ADAC GT Masters weekends. Last year, Assenheimer successfully competed in the MINI Trophy that is an ADAC GT Masters support series and is now switching to the Callaway Competition Corvette Z06.R with more than 500bhp.

"We have been watching Patrick Assenheimer with keen interest ever since he first began motor racing and we were really impressed with his showing in the MINI Trophy competition last year" said Callaway Competition team boss Giovanni Ciccone. "In view of our long term plans for him, we have paired him with Diego Alessi. Diego has an unrivalled ability to set up a vehicle, turn it into a car capable of winning and go on to achieve success in the race. Patrick will benefit greatly from Diego's professional approach during his first year. He will certainly need time to become familiar with the Corvette and be able to assert himself in races but we will give him that time."

Assenheimer: "Callaway Competition's Ernst Wöhr and Giovanni Ciccone have supported me ever since I first began motor racing and gave me my first tests in a GT3 Corvette, which is how I came to have such a close relationship with the team."

Assenheimer is preparing meticulously for his debut season in the ADAC GT Masters. "Indoor kart racing and a well-structured fitness regime are currently the best ways of training in the winter. As soon as weather conditions allow, we're off out on the racetrack. I can't wait!"