Audi drivers Feller and Mies hold a narrow lead in the overall standings. Just nine points separate the top three in the championship. Spectators welcome in the grandstands and the paddock.
The suspense is rising: The title race in the German GT Championship travels to the Sachsenring this weekend (1st to 3rd October) for the sixth of this season’s eight events, and the contenders for the championship can afford no signs of weakness at the challenging and undulating circuit. Just three points separate championship leaders Ricardo Feller (21/CH) and Christopher Mies (31/Düsseldorf, both Montaplast by Land-Motorsport) in the Audi from their closest rivals, Mercedes-AMG works drivers Raffaele Marciello (26/I) and Maximilian Buhk (28/Hamburg, both Mann-Filter Team Landgraf – HTP/WWR). As well as being able to follow the action from the grandstands at the Sachsenring, fans will again be allowed in the paddock, where they will be in the thick of the action. NITRO is broadcasting both races on free-to-air TV from 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday. They can also be seen free and without subscription in a livestream at TVNOW.de and adac.de/motorsport.
Key facts, Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal, races 9 and 10 of 14
Circuit length: 3,645 metres Layout: 14 corners (four right, ten left), driven anti-clockwise 2020 winners, race 1: Marvin Dienst/Philip Frommenwiler (DLV-Team Schütz, Mercedes-AMG GT3) 2020 winners, race 2: Markus Pommer/Jeffrey Schmidt (Callaway Competition, Corvette C7 GT3-R)
Favourites
Thanks to their second win of the season last time out at the Lausitzring, Feller and Mies lead the championship at the halfway point of the season. The Audi duo are a good bet to enjoy more success at the Sachsenring, as Mies has triumphed there on four occasions in the past, while the R8 has already racked up 13 victories there – that is an imposing win rate of 46 percent. However, second-placed Marciello/Buhk are also hopeful of achieving top results, as the Mercedes-AMG has also been among the strongest cars at the demanding circuit in recent times. Just nine points off the leaders are third-placed Mirko Bortolotti (31/I)/Albert Costa Balboa (31/E, both GRT Grasser Racing Team). The Lamborghini works drivers have shown a particularly impressive level of consistency so far this year, and have their sights set on a long-overdue first win of the season at the Sachsenring. The fourth-placed pairing of Luca Stolz (26/Brachbach) and Maro Engel (36/Monte Carlo, both Mercedes-AMG Team Toksport WRT) are also gunning for the top step of the podium. Two recent second places are evidence of their dramatic improvement in form of late. Defending champion Michael Ammermüller (35/Rotthalmünster) and Porsche works driver Mathieu Jaminet (26/F, both SSR Performance) face a difficult task: the SSR Performance duo has won two races this season, but the Sachsenring is the only circuit on the ADAC GT Masters calendar, at which the 911 is yet to taste victory.
Circuit
The Sachsenring is regarded as one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar for the German GT Championship and is often referred to as the “Mini-Nordschleife”. Fast undulating passages, often taken blind, await the drivers. Another feature of the 3.645-kilometre track is that it is driven anti-clockwise and consists almost entirely of left-hand corners. This puts particular strain on the tyres on the right side of the car. As such, it is essential to find the right strategy for the Pirelli tyres.
Local favourites
The state of Saxony is traditionally well-represented by drivers and teams in the ADAC GT Masters. Leipzig-born Marvin Kirchhöfer (27/Luzern, Callaway Competition) already has one race win to his name this season in the Corvette C7 GT3-R. Lamborghini junior Maximilian Paul (21) is also hoping for a strong home outing. Like his team T3 Motorsport, Paul comes from Dresden. The Sachsenring weekend is also a home event for Yaco Racing from Plauen. The team fields an Audi R8 LMS for Simon Reicher (21/A) and Norbert Siedler (38/A). Leipzig resident David Jahn (30) lines up in a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Team Joos Sportwagentechnik.
Fans
The new ADAC Vorteilswelt Lounge will premiere at the ADAC GT Masters weekend at the Sachsenring. ADAC members receive free coffee in the Vorteilswelt Lounge from Vorteilswelt partner Eni. They can also charge their mobile phones and surf the Internet with free Wi-Fi, or find out more about the diverse offerings of the ADAC Vorteilswelt. Spectators are again welcome at the circuit and in the paddock at the Sachsenring. The “Meet the Drivers” autograph session (Saturday 11:25) is a must, as are the popular pit walks (Saturday 10:50 / Sunday 10:45). While the pit lane is open on Saturday evening (from 17:45), spectators can watch online magazine “PS on Air – The Ravenol ADAC GT Masters Talk” live (20:00). The eBay Box also offers visitors fascinating insights into the goings on in the pit lane. It is from here that the latest episode of “ADAC GT Masters Backstage” will be broadcast. After the successful premiere at the Lausitzring, the nine-metre e-Bay Tower once again offers fans spectacular views of the racetrack this weekend.
Tickets are available online in advance at adac.de/motorsport. A day ticket starts at € 22.50 for ADAC members, weekend tickets are available from € 36. (€ 25 and € 40 for non-members). There is a special offer for families: admission is free for children aged twelve and under when accompanied by a paying adult.
Support programme
As well as the ADAC GT Masters, a further four fascinating racing series start at the Sachsenring. In ADAC GT4 Germany, fans can look forward to a diverse field in their “little” GT sports cars, ADAC TCR Germany offers ferocious touring car action, while the ADAC Formula 4 junior series provides an opportunity to watch the motorsport stars of tomorrow. Also in action: the traditional Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Quotes ahead of the race weekend
Christopher Mies (Montaplast by Land-Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS): “I do not see us as the top favourites. Audi has always been very fast at the Sachsenring, but Mercedes-AMG and Porsche have also been good in recent years. As such, I believe it will be very evenly-matched and, as is typical of the Sachsenring, very close. Our goal is to score points and, ideally, to finish ahead of our rivals in the title race. If we could get a win and a lot of points – maybe even two podiums – that would obviously be great. It goes without saying that two victories would always be good.”
Raffaele Marciello (Mann-Filter Team Landgraf – HTP/WWR, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo): “The Sachsenring is one of the best circuits in Germany. I am looking forward to it. It is always up and down and you cannot afford any mistakes, as gravel beds are lurking everywhere. Apart from the first sector, which is rather slow, the circuit should suit our car. However, I reckon that means that Audi and BMW will also be strong. And Corvette could also spring a few surprises. It is always difficult to make any predictions, as the weather could have an influence.”