Luca-Sandro Trefz (19/Wüstenrot) is in his first season in the German GT Championship in 2021. The young man who has progressed through ADAC GT4 Germany and is supported by ADAC Stiftung Sport assesses his rookie year in the ADAC GT Masters so far – and why his team-mate Christopher Haase (33/Kulmbach) and the whole Montaplast by Land-Motorsport team are so valuable to him.
Eighth place in race two in Zandvoort was your first top-ten finish in the German GT Championship. How happy are you with your first half season as a rookie in such a high-class championship? “It is pleasing to have improved from race to race. One thing I noticed from the outset is that the ADAC GT Masters is a lot tougher than in ADAC GT4 Germany.”
In what way? “The competition is even tighter. The differences in lap times are even smaller, particularly in qualifying. If you make a mistake, you are basically out of it. It is really hard to overtake and make up ground in the race. The driving is far more aggressive, right from the start. Nobody gives an inch. Everyone is right at the limit and driving to their highest level.”
How difficult has it been to adapt? “At first, it came as a surprise. However, I soon sussed out what was going on at the start, and what tricks are employed. I have been able to hold my own from the word go. Nobody has got one over on my yet.”
What type of driver are you: daredevil or calculated driver? “More of a calculated character, particularly as a newcomer to the ADAC GT Masters. I don’t immediately dive into any gap that presents itself. This approach has paid off so far. I have not caused any damage to our car yet this year. As long as I have confidence in the car, I can get the maximum out of it and go with my rivals. When it goes as well as it did recently in Zandvoort, I am happy with my speed.”
How different is driving a GT3 super sports car compared to a GT4 car? “The biggest difference was the extra aerodynamic grip, which is new to me. A GT4 car only creates mechanical grip. The Audi R8 LMS GT3 produces a massive amount of downforce, particularly via its undertray and big rear wing. I had to build my confidence at first, in order to be able to take significantly more pace into the corners, particularly very fast ones. However, that came relatively quickly.”
How does your current car, the Audi R8 LMS GT3, differ from the Mercedes-AMG GT4 you drove in 2019 and 2020? “That is hard to say, because one is a GT4 car and the other a GT3. They are very different concepts. Basically, the Mercedes tends to understeer with its front-mounted engine, the Audi oversteers with its mid-mounted engine. As such, the R8 is a little trickier to drive. However, it is a lot of fun, because you brake even later into the corners, meaning you can enter them with more speed.”
Was ADAC GT4 Germany a good preparation for the ADAC GT Masters? “That was the best preparation I could imagine. I was able to learn a lot with two top teams there. For example, the whole process, which is exactly the same as in the ADAC GT Masters. I also got to know many of the circuits, at which we are driving now. The driver changeovers were particularly important. Like in the ADAC GT Masters, two drivers share each car in ADAC GT4 Germany. And there is one more, very important point: ADAC GT4 Germany gave me the great opportunity to be accepted onto the ADAC Stiftung Sport programme.”
Speaking of driver changeovers: what role does your experienced team-mate Christopher Haase play for you as a GT3 rookie? “Christopher Haase is the perfect team-mate for a young driver who wants to learn. He always has time for me, no matter when, and no question is too big. I learn an awful lot from him with regard to set-up work – the way he goes about his work and how he discusses changes to the set-up with the engineers. Christopher knows and understands all the areas of a GT3 car so well, in my opinion he could be a race engineer himself. When we are analysing data and videos, he gives me useful tips on how I can get even more out of the car, the track and myself. The way Christopher organises himself during a race weekend, and how he buys into the whole process, is also very helpful and informative. And, of course, the way he deals with the media.”
As a newcomer, what would you say makes Wolfgang and Christian Land’s team so special? “Montaplast by Land-Motorsport provides a very professional, ambitious, but also friendly and informal environment. The work environment is superb. Everyone is always thinking ahead and pulls together. All the information is shared openly between the crews of our two cars. I feel right at home and soon miss all my team-mates when I return home after a race weekend.”
What can we expect from you for the rest of the season? “I am already familiar with all the circuits that are still to come. It would be nice if we could drive at the Nürburgring. I have always felt very comfortable at the Lausitzring. The Sachsenring, in particular, should suit our R8. I find the fast sections there really exciting. And Hockenheim is my home circuit. I only live 50 kilometres away. We should have the most varied races of the season there, as several sections of the track are good for overtaking.”