ADAC GT Masters·17.5.2019

Comments from the paddock: Friday at Most from a driver perspective

Kelvin van der Linde (HCB-Rutronik Racing, Audi R8 LMS): "We're actually very satisfied. Last week, we were able to do some testing here, and we learned a lot. Today, we obtained further insights after focusing more on our performance across a full race distance. We also saw that the car should run well for us in qualifying. It is obviously going to be far from easy because the field is very competitive, but with luck, we should be able to get a free lap in and hopefully be among the front-runners again."

Christopher Dreyspring (Aust Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS): "First of all, it's good to be back here. The ADAC GT Masters is a great series, and I'm looking forward to being on the grid again for tomorrow's race. Although I haven't competed in a GT3 car since Hockenheim last year, yesterday's test was pretty good. I was quickly able to get back in the groove and to understand the procedures and the car. Unfortunately, we had a few problems in FP1 today - a clutch failure cost us a lot of driving time. Then, in the second session, it was obviously hard to find the right setup. However, we know how we would like it to be, and we think we should be well prepared for qualifying."

Indy Dontje (Mann-Filter Team HTP, Mercedes-AMG GT3): "We've been able to put in two really good days of testing here, and we feel fine on the new tarmac here at Most. Initially, it was a bit difficult to find a good setup, but yesterday gave us a solid foundation to build on today. Also, the results of the training sessions, which we consistently finished in the Top Three, show us that we are ready for qualifying."

Markus Pommer (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R): "We were satisfied with both practice sessions and were able to test out what we had planned to. Marvin clocked the fastest time of the afternoon session on a set of new tyres, which obviously makes us very confident about qualifying tomorrow. The car itself is running well, so we won't be changing much in the setup. Instead, we'll take a closer look at where our individual strengths are - where Marvin is faster, where I'm a little faster - and identify the optimum lap for us. Then we should be in a good position. As you can see, the field is very tightly bunched at this track, so you cannot afford to make a mistake."

Carrie Schreiner (HCB-Rutronik Racing, Audi R8 LMS): "As expected, the starting line-up is extremely competitive this year. Of course, it's sometimes a bit of a struggle for me, but I've made some progress and I'm generally well placed providing I can deliver what is currently possible. I am glad that Kelvin and Patric are in the team, because I can really learn a lot from the two of them. They are very committed and always helpful. That really benefits me and of course also lifts the mood in the team."

David Jahn (RWT Racing, Corvette C7 GT3-R): "I drove my first session here this afternoon and immediately got into my stride. I only got to know the track last week - I haven't driven here before, but it was really good for all that. Sven [Barth] was able to work out a great setup in practice this morning, which I was able to corroborate in the afternoon with only minimal changes. Of course, we'll now we sit down together again to find a setup that works very well for both of us. As regards pace, we are satisfied. Right now, it looks very good - there might even be a couple of tenths more we can squeeze out of it."

Max Hofer (Montaplast by Land Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS): "Unfortunately, it was still rather a mixed bag for us. There were a few points that we wanted to address in the last few days, and we've been able to work through them. For a short while, we weren't quite sure which direction we should be working in, but I guess that applies to pretty much every team when things aren't going perfectly. But now, on Friday evening, we can say that tomorrow in qualifying we'll probably have a reasonable chance of being near the front again. The weather should be quite good this weekend, but we simply have to adapt to the driving conditions we are presented with. Personally, I would like to race in the rain again, even though I was delighted by the weather forecast earlier this week."

Marvin Kirchhöfer (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R): "The day went well. It's a bit of a surprise that we were fastest, as we've been experimenting with the car quite a lot today. It's hard to say where we are right now. But Most is a track that I feel good on and which also suits the car. Qualifying will be an important factor tomorrow, because overtaking is not easy here."