Asch has driven for the Niederzissen-based outfit in two previous seasons of the Super Sports Car League - 2015 and 2016. Together with partner Luca Ludwig, he won the title in the first of those two years, and the duo were strong contenders for most of the 2016 campaign as well. After a year at BWT Mücke Motorsport, where he finished as the best of the Mercedes-AMG contingent with two race wins, Asch now returns to Zakspeed as Luca Stolz's team-mate.

What made you decide to switch teams?

Sebastian Asch: "I am very happy to be back with the team led by Peter Zakowski. Zakspeed have had many years of success in motorsport. We've had great times in the past and celebrated some great wins. I am especially pleased that BKK Mobil Oil have placed so much trust in me and that I can act as a brand ambassador for them in the future. In addition, my return to Zakspeed is like coming full circle. My father Roland drove for them in the DTM. Now I'm coming back to continue the family tradition once more."

2018 will be your tenth year in the ADAC GT Masters. What are your objectives in your anniversary season?

"First of all, it's about being the best Mercedes-AMG GT3 and, hopefully, scoring the occasional victory. Depending on how the season is going, we may at some point think in terms of a title challenge. Until then, a lot of water has to flow down the Neckar. Zakspeed have proved that they are contenders for victory on more than one occasion. And in the pairing of me and my new team-mate Luca Stolz with our Mercedes-AMG GT3, we definitely have a great combination."

In 2018, the ADAC GT Masters is experiencing a veritable boom. Do you think it will be the best season in the history of the series?

"The potential is certainly there. Long before the first race is due to take place, nearly 40 cars from eight different manufacturers have been registered. Former DTM drivers plus two-time WEC World Champion Timo Bernhard will also be in the line-up. This is certainly no coincidence, and it shows the high status accorded to the ADAC GT Masters. Ultimately, though, it doesn't matter to me who I'm competing against out there on the track, as long as I finish in front of everyone else."