ADAC GT Masters·23.7.2016

ADAC GT Masters: Comments after the first race: Observations from the paddock after the seventh race of the season

David Jahn (KÜS TEAM75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3-R), winner:

"That was a perfect race. I immediately caught up with the Corvette at the start and managed to get past on the first corner. After that, I put pressure on the Bentley and overtook him as well on the first lap. I strayed slightly onto the grass in the process, but it was enough. That's what you have to do as a racer. After that, I controlled my lead efficiently. Thanks to the team for getting the setup just right."

Kévin Estre (KÜS TEAM75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3-R), winner:

"I was able to defend the position that David won for us. It may look straightforward when you're leading the field, but that's by no means the case. Our pit stop went a bit better than that of the second-placed Bentley, so I had a slight cushion after the driver changeover. This is my first ADAC GT Masters race weekend of 2016, and it's brought a personal victory and a first win for our team, so what more could you want? I hope it carries on in the same vein."

Christer Jöns (Bentley Team ABT, Bentley Continental GT3), P2 in general classification, winner in Junior class:

"We are very satisfied. We've at last managed to drive a great race and to get onto the podium. This is a reward for all the hard work done by the team, and it's well deserved. Sure, we started from pole position and would have liked to win, but an ADAC GT Masters race is long, and as we have seen, a lot can happen. The winning Porsche was very strong. Even at some later stage of the race, we wouldn't have been able to stop them."

Jules Gounon (Callaway Competition Corvette C7 GT3-R), P3 in general classification, runner-up in Junior class:

"We're certainly delighted to have taken the lead in the championship. Thanks also to my team-mate Daniel (Keilwitz) who drove a fantastic race. Third place was the maximum we were going to get today. The Porsche and Bentley in front of us were very strong. We're now halfway through the campaign, and we're enjoying the moment. But the season is still long, and we'll be taking each race as it comes."

Daniel Keilwitz (Callaway Competition Corvette C7 GT3-R), P3 in general classification, runner-up in Junior class:

"Our objective was to take over at the top of the championship, and that's exactly what we've done. It was by no means an easy race, carrying the 30 kilos of success ballast from the second race at the Lausitzring. We tried to steer clear of any trouble. The other teams were fighting quite hard. On our pit stop, we lost one position, but in the end, that didn't matter."

Patrick Assenheimer (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R), P4 in general classification, P3 in Junior class:

"Finishing fourth after starting from tenth - a great result. The car hasn't even got any scratches. We got away well at the start and didn't lose any positions. In course of the race, we then gained some positions, in part due to accidents involving opponents. Dominik (Schwager) also drove a great race."

Dominik Schwager (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R), P4 in general classification, P3 in Junior class:

"We couldn't have got any more out of today's race. We weren't any faster than the cars that finished ahead of us. Each of the teams lost grip at some point or other. We used the opportunities that came our way to best advantage and managed to gain a few positions. It's a great set of results, with all the Callaway Corvettes in the points. The team did a good job."

Christian Engelhart (GRT Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3), P6 in general classification, winner in Trophy class:

"An eventful race with some collisions, from which we benefited. I managed to pass the Mercedes of Rogivue and Sylvest towards the end under my own steam, and I then applied pressure to the other Mercedes driven by Asch and Ludwig, but they were a bit quicker. Thanks also to the team for getting the car back in working order after the engine failure in free practice."