At the end of the season, Corvette driver and defending champion Daniel Keilwitz had to cede the right to display the number one on his car after finishing in third place. Even so, the retiring champion had the satisfaction of recording a new personal best of six wins, achieved with partners Oliver Gavin and Andreas Wirth. Furthermore, his career total of 14 race wins makes him the most successful driver in the history of the series. In an interview with ADAC, Keilwitz spoke about his fourth season in the ADAC GT Masters.
You scored more race wins and championship points in 2014 than in your championship winning year of 2013. How frustrating has it been to know that you had the speed but were still unable to retain the title?
"Obviously it´s a shame that the title defence didn´t work out, and it´s also a bit annoying. But in the ADAC GT Masters, it´s not simply a matter of who wins the most races. You have to be consistent and avoid any slip-ups for a successful title challenge. In the previous season, it was possible to have an off-day and still be in with a chance, but 2014 was different. Even one more win would probably not have been enough to retain the championship."
Your 2014 season was not dissimilar to 2013, with a weak start followed by a strong finish. Can you pinpoint what ultimately cost you the title?
"In the season opener at Oschersleben, we had two collisions that weren´t our fault. I´m fairly sure we could have won at least one of the two races there. Basically, it was just little things that cost us points early in the season. It rained for the whole of the Zandvoort weekend, and we just had to make the best of it; at the Lausitzring, we had nothing but bad luck. But after that, everything went like a dream right up to the grand finale at Hockenheim."
What is the formula for winning six races in one season?
"After winning the title in 2013, the Callaway Competition team and I never stopped working. I am in my fifth year at Callaway, and it always takes some time until everything is perfectly in tune. We would certainly not have done as good a job if we hadn´t worked so well and successfully together over the past few years."
Which was the most gratifying of your six wins this season?
"Every win is great, but the highlight of 2014 was the second race at the Nürburgring and the victory secured with Andreas Wirth. On a wet track, we took a gamble and started on slicks. We bet everything on a single throw of the dice, and it paid off. That race was a lot of fun. Admittedly, it was very difficult at first driving with slicks on the wet track, but I felt more confident with every lap. But even with a strategy as daring as that, we never expected to win."
After three years as team-mates, you found yourself competing against your co-champion of 2013, Diego Alessi. How did that feel?
"I came up against Diego three times on track, and the battles we had were a lot of fun. It was combative but fair. Even though we no longer share a cockpit, we still have a very good relationship with each other. The great thing about Callaway is the exchange of information between all of us drivers. So as you can see, we continue to work closely with each other, even when we´re in different cars."
How are you spending your time during the winter break?
"I´ve just started an exciting project with my sponsor, Roller. At various events, we use the official ADAC GT Masters Experience 2014 game by RaceRoom to talent-spot young drivers who are then offered a chance by Roller to drive a BMW in the Endurance Championship on the North Loop at the Nürburgring. I am heavily involved in the project and act as both a competition judge and as an instructor."
Will we be seeing you again in the 2015 ADAC GT Masters?
"I am certainly planning to contest the ADAC GT Masters again in 2015, but nothing has been decided or confirmed yet."