ADAC GT Masters·21.8.2016

Comments after the second race: Observations from the paddock after the twelfth race of the season

Rahel Frey (YACO Racing, Audi R8 LMS), winner in general classification: "Mega, just mega - an incredible team effort from start to finish. We've won the race from 17th on the grid! This was down to perfect coordination and perfect pit stops - plus the fact that we were both really fast on the track."

Philip Geipel (YACO Racing, Audi R8 LMS), winner in general classification: "We were even joking before the race that a sudden downpour would suit us fine. And that's exactly what happened... The pit crew did a perfect job today. Both wheel changes in under 30 seconds - that's world class. What a race, what a victory! And as they say: 'No risk, no fun'."

Norbert Siedler (HB Racing WDS Bau, Lamborghini Huracán), P2 in general classification: "We have every reason to be happy. We always work so hard, but we've had a lot of bad luck along the way. At last, we're on the podium. Thanks to the whole team for doing such a great job."

Jaap van Lagen (HB Racing WDS Bau, Lamborghini Huracán), P2 in general classification: "What a nice race that was! We've worked hard all season, and I've always known that Norbert and I were capable of a podium finish. And today we've proved it. We got the car late and had only one day in the dry to test it. That's why it wasn't really good enough in the first few races. But from Round 3 of the season, we've been on an upward curve. Today was perfect, from qualifying through to the race itself. I'm so pleased for the whole team."

Sebastian Asch (AMG team Zakspeed, Mercedes-AMG), P3 in general classification: "After the race yesterday, the podium today is gratifying, so we have reason to feel satisfied. This was precisely what we had planned for yesterday. What can I say, though? The championship is probably over for us."

Luca Ludwig (AMG team Zakspeed, Mercedes-AMG), in general classification: "We had the right strategy and built up our race beautifully. Unfortunately, we then lost it in the box - we came in ahead of the Audi and exited after them. Third is not bad, but we could have done so much more today."

Connor De Phillippi (Montaplast by Land-Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS), P4 in general classification, winner in Junior class: "We've scored good points in a good race. They can help us in the finale at Hockenheim, because the Corvette will be strong there. We have to be satisfied with our performance, but we would obviously be even happier to have finished on the podium. But anyway, we're leaving here as championship leaders."

Christopher Mies (Montaplast by Land-Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS), P4 in general classification: "It wasn't easy here today. We took a gamble and stayed on slicks. We started from fifth and finished fourth. Also, we scored valuable points, which means we travel to the finale at Hockenheim leading the championship by a small margin."

Jules Gounon (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7), P5 in general classification, P2 in Junior class: "That was a tough race but lots of fun. It's what I really enjoy. We extracted the maximum. More is not possible at the moment."

Daniel Keilwitz (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7), P5 in general classification: "That was damage limitation for us. The conditions played into our hands. We're now looking ahead to the future and can't wait for the finale at Hockenheim."

Jeroen den Boer (Schubert Motorsport, BMW M6 GT3), P9 in general classification, winner in Trophy class: "Not bad, from 19th on the grid to ninth! When the rain came down, it was a toss-up between slicks and wet-weather tyres, but we stuck with slicks. And so I'm now gradually getting used to the BMW M6. I was subsequently able to overtake more and more cars. I'm particularly pleased with my win in the Trophy class."

Claudia Hürtgen (Schubert Motorsport, BMW M6 GT3), P9 in general classification: "The weather was very bad. What a nice experience that was, finding out how the BMW M6 handles in pouring rain on slicks! Nevertheless, we didn't make any mistakes. I'm pleased for Jeroen (den Boer) and his success in the Trophy class."

Patrick Kujala (Bonaldi Motorsport, Lamborghini Huracán), P10 in general classification, P3 in Junior class: "That was a tough race for everyone. We decided to switch to full wets - it was fifty-fifty."

Miloš Pavlović (Bonaldi Motorsport, Lamborghini Huracán), P10 in general classification: "That was an extremely tough and unfortunate weekend for us. We secured tenth place and our first podium in the Junior classification, but that still does not do justice to the team's performance. With a little more luck, we'll be able to reap the rewards of the team's hard work. We should be on the podium for the seniors, not the juniors."

David Jahn (KÜS TEAM75 Bernhard, Porsche 911), DNF: "It all began so well. Kévin defended P1 brilliantly, but then it began to rain. The situation was tense. The team decided to stay on slicks, which was no bad decision - quite good in fact. Then, unfortunately, Kévin had a little slide onto the gravel, which can obviously happen in such tricky conditions. The car bedded itself into the gravel, which was quite deep at this spot, and the radiator got a lot of dirt in it and may even have sustained damage, so the engine temperature went up. We've drawn a blank, unfortunately, which is obviously annoying so close to the end of the season when we were really well placed in the championship standings. There are still 50 points up for grabs. We're good at Hockenheim, I think. We'll stay fully motivated and put the big fat zero behind us."

Kévin Estre (KÜS TEAM75 Bernhard, Porsche 911), DNF: "The car was excellent, and I was able to stay in front. Then it rained, but we stuck with slicks. An Audi on full wets was about to overtake, and I wanted to move over, so I drove a bit further to the left than I had done on the previous lap. The track was wetter at that spot. I also probably went over the white line a little, lost the car and had to exit onto the gravel. I broke something on the radiator and couldn't continue. Too bad! I'm really very sorry for the team, but that's just the way it is. We'll now do our best at Hockenheim, aiming to score a decent haul of points."