Former Formula 1 driver will join forces with Florian Spengler. Team will continue to race with Audi. Fifth full season for the team in the ADAC GT Masters.
Experienced Swabian duo for Car Collection Motorsport in the ADAC GT Masters: former Formula 1 driver Markus Winkelhock (40/Berglen-Steinach) will head the line-up for the racing team from Hesse, sharing his Audi R8 LMS with returnee Florian Spengler (33/Ellwangen) in the German GT championship. The new season in the ADAC GT Masters begins next week with official pre-season testing in Oschersleben. The first race weekend will take place at the same location from 14th–16th May. New TV partner NITRO will broadcast every race live in its entirety.
Car Collection will be able to benefit from the know-how imparted by Audi Sport driver Winkelhock, FIA GT1 world champion in 2012 and three-time winner of the Nürburgring 24-hour race, thanks to his many years of racing experience. “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on this season in the ADAC GT Masters together with Florian Spengler”, says the German driver. “We make a great driving duo in terms of driving skill and we also get on well as people. We both know the Audi R8 LMS GT3 really well, which is a superb starting point.”
Team-mate Florian Spengler first appeared in the ADAC GT Masters in 2011 and is making his return after a season-long break. The 33-year-old will initially be classified as a Bronze driver and feels that he has a good chance of success in the Pirelli Trophy. “Competing in a Porsche at the Nürburgring 24-hour race and securing the win in the SP7 class was my only racing experience of 2020. So, I can hardly wait for the ADAC GT Masters season to get started this year,” reveals Spengler. “A change of status from the FIA means that I can now compete in the Pirelli Trophy competition. We had already planned on forming a Swabian team with Markus Winkelhock last year, so I am all the happier that it worked out for this season. We used the break for some intensive preparation, and we are in good spirits. As far as we’re concerned, it could get started now.”
Car Collection team principal Peter Schmidt is looking forward to seeing his new driving duo: “It is great that Florian is returning to the ADAC GT Masters. We are particularly pleased that he has chosen to race for us again. He will be joined by Markus, a very experienced and fast driver, and they will complement one another nicely. We can hardly wait for the upcoming testing days and the season-opener.”