Daniel Abt (23, GER) and Christer Jöns (28, GER) will be sharing the cockpit of the Bentley Continental GT3 with the number 7 on its bodywork. Abt, who won the Formel ADAC title in the 2009 season, brings a wealth of experience gained in diverse single-seater racing series and in the LMP1 sports car class. Jöns is about to embark on his seventh season in GT3 racing - in his 58 ADAC GT Masters races to date, he has secured two pole positions.
The number 8 car will be driven by Fabian Hamprecht (20, GER) and Guy Smith (41, GBR). The 20-year-old German is familiar with the Bentley Continental GT3 from last season. His 41-year-old team-mate won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Bentley in 2003 and has been representing the brand in GT racing since 2014.
Jordan Lee Pepper (19, ZA) and team-mate Andreas Weishaupt (43, GER) complete the trio of driver pairings and can be identified by the number 9 on their car. Weishaupt won the 2015 Gentlemen class for non-professional drivers. From the current season onwards, this will be known as the ADAC GT Masters Trophy. Supporting Weishaupt's title defence will be Jordan Lee Pepper. The VW Scirocco Cup champion enters his second season in the ADAC GT Masters with the main target of winning the new Junior Cup. In 2015, he picked up a winner's trophy in his very first ADAC GT Masters race.
"We have a well-balanced driver line-up with a mix of youth and experience," says Christian Abt, team principal at Bentley Team ABT and himself a four-time Masters champion on the track and at the pit wall. "We intend to have a say in all the various titles at stake."
Further comments
Daniel Abt
"I am really proud to have been involved as a member of our family in the new motorsport project with Bentley from day one. We now represent the brand not only via our dealership but also in sport, where we are continuing a beautiful tradition with ABT Sportsline. In the first test, the Bentley felt good; readjusting from driving other cars was not all that difficult after so many years as a professional. The unusual aspect for almost all of us is that the steering wheel is on the right."
Fabian Hamprecht
"I already know the Bentley Continental from the ADAC GT Masters. Consequently, I was able to put my experience to good use for ABT Sportsline in the tests. We have notched up quite a lot of kilometres. The car has many strengths, the team works professionally, and we are all knowledgeable. Together with my experienced team-mate Guy Smith, I'm hoping that we can regularly finish among the Top Six and be considered contenders for the title."
Christer Jöns
"For me, the new project represents a significant change, because so far in GT3 racing, I've driven only mid-engined sports cars - including on behalf of the Abts. The team is highly motivated, and I'm really looking forward to the partnership with Bentley and with my team-mate Daniel Abt. We drove together for the first time in Dubai. He brings a lot of experience from other racing classes, and I can learn from that. Maybe I can give him the odd useful tip from GT racing in return."
Jordan Pepper
"I want to help my team-mate Andreas Weishaupt defend his Gentleman title, so we need to secure as many class wins as possible. If we also manage to occasionally finish among the Top Ten in the general classification, that would be a nice bonus. During the test, I immediately felt comfortable in the Bentley Continental GT3. This car gives you a lot of confidence, especially when you're driving at the limit. The power of the V8 turbo engine is excellent, and I'm expecting us to be especially competitive on tracks such as the Sachsenring and Oschersleben."
Guy Smith
"The ADAC GT Masters is one of the most important national GT series in the world, and I am very pleased to be invited to compete in it this year. Although the Bentley Continental GT3 is easy to handle for teams and drivers alike, I'm still hoping that I can help Bentley Team ABT with my experience. Apart from Steven Kane, there is probably no other driver who knows the Bentley as well as I do. This could perhaps be a vital component in our title challenge."
Andreas Weishaupt
"Bentley's illustrious record in motor racing lends a degree of glamour to the enterprise. Our tests at Monteblanco gave me a lot of confidence. The handling of the Bentley Continental GT3 is balanced, and the engine torque is stunning. As usual, the teamwork in the tests was perfect. Jordan Lee Pepper is extremely analytical, determined, talented and a very personable team-mate. I am pleased to be partnering him. After picking up the Gentleman winner's trophy last year, the expectations are now higher, and the competition will be even tougher this year. I want to defend my title successfully in 2016."