The junior driver from Germany's east is set to make his debut in the Super Sports Car League this season with the team of two-time Le Mans winner and FIA World Endurance Champion, Timo Bernhard. Fittje will share the drive in the team's Porsche 911 GT3 R bearing start number 18 with Mike David Ortmann from Berlin. In his career to date, Fittje has enjoyed success in the ADAC Kart Masters, has secured podiums in the ADAC Formula 4 and has competed in GP3. He made his GT racing debut last year in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.

**Welcome to the ADAC GT Masters! What made you decide to line up in the series this year?

Jannes Fittje:** "Well originally, I wanted to contest the new FIA Formula 3 in 2019 but switched to GT racing and the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland when the cost of single-seater racing began to get seriously out of hand. The decision was made quite late in the year and as a result, I was unable to prepare much for the season and it did not go as well as I'd hoped. I needed to decide during the winter break whether to continue for another season or not and subsequently spoke with Klaus Graf from Küs Team75 Bernhard. We set up a meeting along with Timo Bernhard, during which it soon became apparent that we would be working together in the 2020 ADAC GT Masters."

I must say, you've got some terrific teachers for your debut year! Timo Bernhard, Klaus Graf and Klaus Bachler, who drives the sister car...

"Yes, I know! Timo and Klaus Graf are enormously experienced at racing sports cars both in LMP and GT3 while Klaus Bachler has been a driver in the ADAC GT Masters for ages now and really knows his way around the 911 GT3 R. I can always turn to them if I have any questions, which will be a big bonus for me in the team. I'll certainly be able to benefit from their expertise."

Your team-mate, Mike David Ortmann, is also only 20 years old but will soon be embarking on his fourth year in the ADAC GT Masters. How well do you know him?

"I've known Mike since 2011 when I came first in the Bambini national karting finals and he finished runner-up. We get on really well and I'm really looking forward to sharing the car with him. Mike is still young like me but is very experienced. We've got a really great package for 2020 at Küs Team75 Bernhard. What's more, I've got a soft spot for Porsches, so things couldn't be better."

Speaking about Porsches. Have you had any chance yet to test the 911 GT3 R?

"So far, I've only ever driven it during roll-out at an airfield. I noticed straightaway that there's no comparison with the Cup Porsche. Its suspension is a great deal more sophisticated with double wishbones. The steering is much more direct and the car generates a lot more downforce and really reminds me of a single-seater racing car, which should suit me down to the ground. The car is really high-end. Roll-out was very enjoyable. Unfortunately, we couldn't do any proper testing because of the Corona crisis, but still, I'm really looking forward to being able to drive the GT3 R on the limit around a racetrack at some point."

Which circuits are you most looking forward to?

"Actually, I like all of the circuits on the calendar. There's not a single one that I dislike. The Sachsenring is my home circuit. It's only about an hour and 20 minutes from where I live, but I'm also looking forward to racing at Zandvoort which has recently been upgraded. Don't you just love the atmosphere right next to the North Sea? I always really enjoy it! It makes me think a bit of holidays, but I can go racing there!"

What goals have you set yourself for your first year in the ADAC GT Masters?

"Well, basically, I want to make a good start to the year and secure a good place in the Pirelli Junior classification as the season progresses. I definitely want to be a title contender in the Junior stakes, for sure! Generally speaking, the goal is to achieve finishes in the Top Ten in the overall results. Results in the Top Five might even be possible, but you can never really say beforehand. The competition in the ADAC GT Masters is so evenly matched that anything can happen."

How are you spending your time at the moment? Preparing for the season in the normal way is not really possible, is it?

"Well, no, not really. Actually, we should have been carrying out pre-season testing at Oschersleben this week, but unfortunately, the Coronavirus has put paid to that for all of us. I'm at home like everyone else. Fortunately, we live in a very rural area, so I can spend a lot of time outside in the nice weather. I work out a lot in the garden and exercise every day. I'm continuing with my normal programme. I sometimes even do a little bit extra and go out cycling or running, for example."