Big variety
In the first eight ADAC GT Masters races, there have now been 14 different winners from seven teams following success at the Sachsenring for Marvin Dienst/Philipp Frommenwiler (DLV Team Schütz Motorsport) and Jeffrey Schmidt/Markus Pommer (Callaway Competition).
Consistency ensures success
The mission to defend their title is continuing apace for Patric Niederhauser and Kelvin van der Linde. The two Audi Sport drivers lead the overall standings in the ADAC GT Masters after eight out of 14 races. Apart from racking up a win and four podiums in all, Rutronik Racing's drivers have impressed with their consistency and are the only drivers to have scored points in every race so far.
End of a period without a win
Schütz Motorsport have had to wait more than five years before taking a win again in the ADAC GT Masters in Saturday's race at the Sachsenring. "Overall, we have shown once more that we can be top contenders even though our outfit is only small and does not benefit directly from works support," said Team Principal, Christian Schütz. "This victory was very important for the whole team. When you're without a win for such a long time, you start to question everything at some point. We now know we're on the right track and hope to confirm that in the next set of races."
Title defenders now head standings
Winners of last year's team competition in the ADAC GT Masters, Rutronik Racing, took the lead in the classification for the first time this season with third place for Patric Niederhauser and Kelvin van der Linde.
Callaway are totally thrilled
After experiencing a tough start to the season, the race win in Saxony was a relief too for Callaway Competition team boss, Mike Gramke. "We were all totally thrilled with our success after having had to suffer for so long," said Gramke. "We've finally made the breakthrough after the previous races. We were keen to make progress in both rounds at the Sachsenring and finish in the points. The hard work put in by everyone in the outfit has paid off and we have shown that we're on the right track. We will now have to take the impetus gained from success with us and remain focused on getting everything right. I would also like at this point to express my gratitude to all our partners and sponsors, who have always been there to cheer us on and have stood by us even when times were hard."
Successful comeback
Finnish driver Jesse Krohn returned to the ADAC GT Masters, standing in for regular driver, Nick Yelloly. Thanks to their strong charge in Sunday's race, he and Henric Skoog had a good showing in Schubert Motorsport's BMW M6 GT3, moving up from 31st on the grid to finish seventh. "We had a really good weekend with the team's best result so far this season," said Krohn. "I was delighted to play my part. We had a few difficulties in the first race but were able to put them behind us on Sunday. Although we had to start last, the team and Henric did an excellent job and we made it into the Top Ten. It's really great to see Schubert Motorsport and BMW back in the ADAC GT Masters. The guys are so passionate about motorsport and you can really feel that within the team. Driving for them is always most enjoyable, and I would love to race for the outfit again soon."
Maiden winners
In the ADAC GT Masters, Marvin Dienst and Philipp Frommenwiler became drivers number 123 and 124 to clinch their maiden wins.
Still leading despite DNF
For the first time this season, series newcomer 24-year-old Tim Zimmermann, finished out of the points in the Pirelli Junior classification on Sunday but was still able to defend his lead overall in the competition for junior drivers with his second-in-class success in Race 1. "I was very pleased with the weekend despite a DNF," said Zimmermann. "Steijn Schothorst and I have shown that we have the pace to contend up front. We simply got mixed up in a racing incident on Sunday. There's bound to be a collision at some point when four cars go wheel-to-wheel. It's a shame, for sure, but we won't let it get us down. We know the speed is there and feel optimistic about the next round. The Red Bull Ring does not really suit the Lamborghini, we're well aware, but we'll give it 110 percent and try to achieve the maximum."