Emil Frey Racing is the most successful team in the ADAC GT Masters 2022. The debut season for the Swiss team saw them top the team standings in the German GT Championship. The crew behind the fast drivers in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo functioned like clockwork. The secret of their success: team principal Lorenz Frey-Hilti relied on consistency and great cohesion.
There was still plenty to do after the race: while the Emil Frey Racing team celebrated into the early hours after the ADAC GT Masters season finale at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, Lorenz Frey-Hilti was already back in Switzerland. “I had to head back home shortly after the race, as there were some important meetings for next season scheduled for the following day,” explained the team manager. “But everyone celebrating sent me some wonderful photos and videos. Emil Frey Racing was well represented on the dance floor,” noted the 32-year-old.
Last Friday, Lorenz Frey-Hilti was then able to toast victory in the team standings of the German GT Championship in fitting style with his crew. The successful racing team had come up with something really special, celebrating in Swiss style: “We try plenty of new things out with our team. This time we went bowling and then we made our own chocolate. Every Swiss person should try their hand at that. We then had cheese fondue before the evening concluded in a restaurant. So, it was a typically Swiss event,” he said with a smile.
Two wins and a total of seven podiums saw Emil Frey Racing crown a great debut season in Germany’s fastest GT3 series. That success was no accident, as many employees have been with Emil Frey Racing for some years and form an experienced team. “I was able to resurrect the team in 2012 and lead it into GT3 racing. We have been able to gather plenty of experience since then. Some of our team members have been involved for ten years. It’s a bit like a family business, and team spirit is really important to us. These factors made it easy for us to get started in the ADAC GT Masters and certainly represent a real strength for us,” revealed the team principal: “It was clear to us that the competition in the ADAC GT Masters is really strong.”
However, the great season exceeded his expectations. The team made a superb start at the season-opener in Oschersleben, with second place for Arthur Rougier (22/F) and Franck Perera (38/F). Mick Wishofer (23/A) and Konsta Lappalainen (21/FIN) laid down the next marker in the third event of the season at Zandvoort in The Netherlands, securing the first win for the team on the Saturday. Just one day later, their team-mates Albert Costa Balboa (32/E) and the former Formula 1 driver Jack Aitken (27/GB) were celebrating a first-place finish. The duo of Arthur Rougier and Franck Perera also claimed third position. Apart from the Swiss team, only Schubert Motorsport was able to put two driver duos on the podium in a 2022 race. The successful race weekend in Zandvoort bred confidence: “That’s when we realised that we might have a chance of finishing first in the team championship,” said Lorenz Frey-Hilti.
The principal describes his team as data-focused, modest and progressive. “Data analysis is key for us, and we work meticulously in this area. We come from a family of service providers, so modesty is significant for us. We are always scrutinising our processes and aim for continuous development,” he added. The whole team works together, which is why they were rewarded with success on the racetrack. “The prize money always goes to the team and we decide what to use the bonus for. For example, we have previously used the money for a Christmas meal with the whole team.”
The team enjoyed perfect conditions on the way to their hard-earned prize money, with Lorenz Frey-Hilti waxing lyrical about the German GT Championship. “The ADAC does some sensational work, including the live broadcasts with NITRO. Everything is transmitted to the outside world really well. The format is cool, with two races on a weekend. We took around 200 guests to the final weekend at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. We were able to show them motor racing at first hand. We were delighted with the fact that the rules remained unchanged and very transparent throughout the season.”
Motor racing has been a constant with the Emil Frey Group, something that the successful businessman notices in day-to-day business. People even mentioned the success in the ADAC GT Masters during business meetings in France. Therefore, it is no surprise that the team champions are already working on plans for 2023. “After one year in the series, we already feel right at home. Of course, we would love to defend the title and also have a say in the drivers’ championship. However, we cannot provide details regarding the planning as further meetings are set to take place in the coming weeks,” emphasised Lorenz Frey-Hilti.
