This week’s two-day ADAC GT Masters test provided many fascinating stories. Take a look at the Oschersleben notebook.
Phoenix comeback
Phoenix Racing returned to the ADAC GT Masters for the first time since 2018 in Oschersleben. Over the course of the test, the new driving duo of Patric Niederhauser and rookie Jusuf Owega completed a total of 164 laps – the second highest number – in the Audi R8 LMS run by the team from Meuspath. “For us as a team, the test was very successful,” said team manager Jean-Luc Tille. “We made it through both days without any incidents and worked through an extensive test programme with our new drivers. We have gained a lot of knowledge and developed the set-up in the right direction. We were the fastest Audi in each of the last two sessions, which obviously gives us confidence ahead of the opening race weekend.”
Promising switch
Having changed manufacturer to Porsche, MRS GT-Racing completed its first laps with its new 911 GT3 R in Oschersleben, and impressed from the word go. Newcomer Maximilian Hackländer set the eighth-fastest time of the test, and was actually second-fastest on the Tuesday. “The test exceeded all our expectations,” said team manager Iris Dorr. “We received the Porsche at the last minute and only had a little time to prepare. Before we arrived in Oschersleben, we had not done a single metre with the car. We had absolutely no problems at all during the test. The mechanics did a superb job in advance. Maximilian was sensational. The Porsche seems to suit him, and he impressed from the outset.” The team hopes to be able to confirm its second driver this week.
Endurance runner
The award for industriousness went to Team Zakspeed Mobil Krankenkasse Racing. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo of Jules Gounon and Constantin Schöll completed 166 laps – more than any other car at the dress rehearsal for the season-opener.
New look
Yaco Racing presented its drivers and the car design for the new season in Oschersleben. As at last year’s guest start at the Red Bull Ring, the team from Plauen will line up with Austrians Norbert Siedler and Simon Reicher. What is new is the champagne-coloured look of the Audi R8 LMS, which incorporates 1960s-style pin-up girls as a retro element.
Premiere
Mann-Filter Team Landgraf-HTP WWR was making its first appearance in the ADAC GT Masters. The team from the Rhineland-Palatinate region will run one Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for works drivers Maximilian Buhk and Raffaele Marciello this season. “I was pleased to be back in Oschersleben for the first time since 2018,” said Buhk. “As the team only received the car late on, the first day was more like a roll-out. It was primarily about breaking the car in. That went well and we did not have any issues. We then worked on the set-up on Wednesday. We were quick and are happy with the result. The Mercedes-AMG is not new to the team, or to ‘Lello’ and me. We want to get some more kilometres under our belts by the start of the season.”
Short test
The test in Oschersleben ended prematurely for the Joos Sportwagentechnik team, as Marco Holzer and Johannes Stengel’s Porsche 911 GT3 R crashed out on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the damage could not be repaired on site.
Late arrival
Team WRT and Rutronik Racing by Tece only tested on Wednesday in Oschersleben. Team WRT was involved in races in Monza and Barcelona last weekend, which meant they were late arriving in the Magedburg Börde region. Despite this, the Belgians were still quick: Audi Sport driver Dries Vanthoor promptly set the fastest time on Wednesday morning and ended the test as the third-fastest man overall, making him the best-placed R8 LMS driver.
Valuable experience
Luca-Sandro Trefz, who steps up from ADAC GT4 Germany this season, got valuable kilometres under his belt in the Montaplast by Land-Motorsport Audi in Oschersleben. “As a newcomer to GT3 racing, it is important for me to spend a lot of time behind the wheel,” said the 19-year-old, who is supported by ADAC Stiftung Sport. “The Audi is much faster and more agile than last year’s GT4 Mercedes-AMG. The aerodynamics also play a major role. However, it went very well. We were able to test a lot out, gathered a lot of data, and were competitive.”
Ready to help
Although T3 Motorsport missed the ADAC GT Masters test in Oschersleben – the team is still waiting on delivery of the new Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo – regular driver Maximilian Paul did was in attendance. The 21-year-old was on hand to offer the Dresden-based outfit’s ADAC GT4 Germany team and its drivers advice. The Lamborghini for the German GT Team will be delivered next week. “We then want to test the car in Hockenheim and Oschersleben,” said team principal Jens Feucht.