ADAC GT Masters·21.5.2017

Lausitzring: Comments after the second race: Observations from the Lausitzring paddock

Mirko Bortolotti (GRT Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3), winner in the general classification and Junior class winner: "That was a perfect race and a magnificent victory. We did everything right. I successfully defended the lead going into the first corner. At first, I came under pressure from Philipp Eng, but as the race progressed, I gradually pulled out a gap. We left our pit stop as late as possible, which enabled us to extend our lead even further. As the pursuing bunch were fighting among themselves, Ezequiel was able to increase the gap to around seven seconds. It was a wonderful performance. I am very pleased for him and for the whole team."

Ezequiel Perez Companc (GRT Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3), winner in the general classification and Junior class winner: "I am very happy; this is my first victory with the team. Everything has worked out well today, and the team did a great job. Mirko's first stint was mega - all I had to do was see that lead through to the finish. It's a great feeling to have won here."

Christopher Mies (Montaplast by Land Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS), second in the general classification: "Today went much better than on Saturday. We started from fourth place and finished second. The car was significantly better than in previous races. But in addition, Connor did a great job and overtook the BMW. We can certainly improve. We now need to work on this and then attack at the Red Bull Ring in the next race."

Connor De Phillippi (Montaplast by Land Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS), second in the general classification: "A positive outcome to this race. It's good to be back on the podium. We took a major step forward with the car yesterday. Now we have to take the next step, because we are still some way off the top. We will be doing some testing in the near future, and we then want to score as many points as possible at the Red Bull Ring."

Christian Engelhart (GRT Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3), third in the general classification and winner in the Trophy class: "I'm very satisfied - especially with our team coming first and third. Our car was sensational. The race was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, my start didn't go well, and I got a five-second penalty. At the pit stop, we served the penalty perfectly in a time of 5.1 seconds and didn't lose any positions. After that, Rolf did a great job. On the last corner, he surprised Ricky Collard, who then made a mistake, and Rolf went on to secure the podium for us. He really deserved that third place."

Rolf Ineichen (GRT Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3), third in the general classification and winner in the Trophy class: "A really great race. It was exciting right through to the finish. We kept battling away to the end, as we realised that we had a chance of coming in the Top Three. We gave it everything we'd got and are very happy that it was enough for the podium."

Jules Gounon (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R), P4 in the general classification and second in the Junior class: "We staged an impressive charge through the field and progressed from eleventh on the grid to fourth. Daniel drove a superb race, and our pit stop also went exceptionally well. I then gained a few places and moved up to fourth. We were struggling a bit for speed this weekend. The cars that qualified in front were simply too fast for us. Consequently, I'm very pleased to have scored so many points for our P5 on Saturday and our P4 today. That was the maximum that was possible."

Daniel Keilwitz, (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R), P4 in the general classification and second in the Junior class: "With qualifying not having gone so well for us, I'm quite satisfied. Unfortunately, we messed up there, because our setup wasn't all that good. For the race itself, we managed to tease a bit more out of the car, but that was all we were going to get. Fourth place is OK, because we finished in the points on both occasions. Next up is the Red Bull Ring. We should actually be stronger there than here."

Philipp Eng (BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M6 GT3), P5 in the general classification and third in the Junior class: "The start was immense fun. I moved up from seventh place to second. I was a bit concerned at first that three cars alongside each other were too much, but I managed to get past Christopher Mies on the right and then I just tried outbrake my opponents going into the corner. I was worried that I might have left it too late, but it worked out OK. After that, the pace was quite good, but there was nothing we could do about the Lamborghini. I'm satisfied with our performance, although it would have been nice to make a podium appearance in the general classification. But we'll make up for that at the Red Bull Ring."

Ricky Collard (BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M6 GT3), P5 in the general classification and third in the Junior class: "I'm very disappointed. The team deserved a better result. I'm dissatisfied with myself. I drove quite well yesterday, but today I had problems with the rear tyres and was unable to do anything, because the car kept losing grip on the entry to the corners. But anyway, we've learnt from this and will come back stronger in the next race."

Christopher Friedrich (KÜS Team75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3 R), P19 in the general classification: "All in all, that was quite a good race. We lacked the element of luck and found ourselves starting from the back of the grid. Adrien then did a good job and we finished 19th. It was a bit better then."

Adrien de Leener (KÜS Team75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3 R), P19 in the general classification: "I had a good start and got into some enjoyable scraps in which I came out on top. Chris and I also had good race pace. I think if we can do a bit better in qualifying, we could be up among the Top 15 or Top 12."

Michael Ammermüller (KÜS Team75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3 R), DNF: "The positive aspect of this weekend is that we were able to improve the car after a poor qualifying on Saturday. We were quicker today, and though we are still some way off where we want to be, it should be better in the forthcoming races at other tracks. In today's race, we unfortunately had to retire due to a puncture. In the preceding four laps, I had already been alerted to the fact that the tyre was deflating. We tried to keep going until the pit stop window, but there was still a lap to go when I lost the tyre completely and had to pull out of the race. We missed out on a lot of points, because we were well placed at the time. Mathieu would have been able to gain a couple of places."