ADAC GT Masters·19.9.2015

ADAC GT Masters: Comments after the race: Observations from the paddock following Saturday's race at Zandvoort

Luca Ludwig (#21 Team Zakspeed, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3), winner: "We had to score points, and I'm proud to say that we succeeded 100% in that respect. We weren't all that strong in qualifying, and I wasn't expecting us to do quite so well over the distance. But in the race, everything was perfect, and if you're driving at the front, that makes life so much easier. The BMW of Baumann and Klingmann starts tomorrow's race from first place, and it has a good chance of winning. We're way back in P9 on the grid, so we could lose 20 points to them. That would then throw the title chase wide open again."

Sebastian Asch (#21 Team Zakspeed, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3), winner: "We did have some luck today. After the damage to the drive-shaft on the way to the grid, neither the team nor team boss Peter Zakowski thought that we would be able to start the race. It wasn't easy for us as drivers to keep calm with so much going on before the start. The team members are the stars for me today. They are the ones who won the race, not us. I concentrated on nursing the tyres, because tyre degradation was another factor that could decide the outcome. I feel sorry for Klaus Bachler. He had a bit of bad luck, and we would much rather have beaten him in a straight fight out on track."

Florian Stoll (#24 kfzteile24 MS RACING, Audi R8 LMS ultra), second: "After the start, I got stuck behind Rahel Frey and Jens Klingmann; I simply wasn't able to get past. But on the restart after the safety car, I managed to overtake the pair of them. Marc was then able to drive a relatively relaxed second stint."

Marc Basseng (#24 kfzteile24 MS RACING, Audi R8 LMS ultra), second: "For me, the most exciting part of the race came after the pit stop. I started pushing straightaway but was unable to close the gap on the Mercedes. Then the Bentley came out of the pit lane just ahead of me, but I was able to build up a reasonable lead. In terms of tyre wear, we were already at the limit, so I just concentrated on bringing the car across the finish line. P2 is a terrific result, and I hope we're capable of repeating it tomorrow."

Rahel Frey (#16 YACO Racing, Audi R8 LMS ultra), third: "I think we've got the basics right: we have a good setup which works almost everywhere. Fourth on the grid was a good position to start from. I was able to defend this position well. I had to look after the tyres, but Philip subsequently benefited from that. Our team has deserved this great result."

Philip Geipel (#16 YACO Racing, Audi R8 LMS ultra), third: "An exciting race: Rahel drove a fantastic first stint. I overtook Baumann's BMW and was then able to attack in the final ten minutes and finish third because I had been nursing my tyres."

Andreas Weishaupt (#3 C.Abt Racing, Audi R8 LMS ultra), winner in Gentlemen class: "That was by no means an easy race. It's the first time I've competed here at Zandvoort. It's a wonderful track, but I had a fight on my hands - presumably it's down to a problem with the setup. Christer was also struggling quite a bit, so I'm ecstatic that we took first place. So yes, I'm satisfied. Tomorrow, Christer will be starting from the front row - that's already making me a bit nervous."

Remo Lips (#13 RWT Racing Team, Corvette Z06.R), second in Gentlemen class: "That was a tough race. It's not easy after five weeks away to make your comeback on such a challenging track. I don't think I've readjusted yet. Luckily, I have Sven as a partner to iron out the situation."

Sven Barth (#13 RWT Racing Team, Corvette Z06.R GT3), P12: "We're finding the weekend here at Zandvoort extremely tough. Even the likes of Daniel Keilwitz, who is more or less the top Corvette driver, struggled to pass the field here. We were only concerned with the Gentlemen class. I made another attempt at overtaking the Audi. The scrap was a lot of fun, but I didn't get by, unfortunately."

Tom Dillmann (#7 Bentley Team HTP, Bentley Continental GT3), P4: "I had problems with tyre degradation towards the end of the race. I had no chance to defend myself in the battle with the Audi on the last lap. It's obviously a little disappointing to lose out on a podium just before the finish."

Torsten Schubert (Team Principal, BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert): "Dominik's tyres degraded really badly in the second stint of the race, causing him to drop back. We expected it to happen but never thought it would be so extreme."

Clemens Schmid (#8 Bentley Team HTP, Bentley Continental GT3), DNF: "We had a bump at the start, which obviously damaged the car more than was apparent at first glance. I then collided with Sven Barth and had to park up."

Daniel Dobitsch (#100 kfzteile24 MS RACING, Audi R8 LMS ultra), P8: "I don't know exactly what happened on the opening lap. An opponent obviously pushed me. I quickly regained control and immediately stepped back on the gas."

Klaus Bachler (#36 GW IT Racing Team Schütz Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3 R), P11:"I don't really want to comment on the race. What's clear, though, is that today's result means that I've missed the boat as far as the championship goes. Sure, there's a mathematical chance, but it would take a miracle. It's all very disappointing, the whole story."

Christian Schütz (Team Principal, GW IT Racing Schütz Motorsport): "We've just got to look ahead now. Zakspeed are on 186 points, a lead of 48. But all the same, we're still second in the standings, seven points ahead of Team Schubert, and that's got to be good. There are another 75 points up for grabs in theory, so there's still everything to play for. Nothing has been decided, and we won't give up until it's all over."