ADAC GT Masters·5.4.2022

Mercedes-Mamba sets fastest time of the day

Jonathan Aberdein of Mann-Filter Team Landgraf made the first big statement on day one of the test at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. The 24-year-old set the fastest lap time of 1:24.136 minutes at the wheel of the #48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. The South African’s produced the best time of the day on his 39th lap. “It feels good to have driven the fastest lap, and gives you confidence. The team did a great job and set the car up very well. However, this is only day one of the test and we still have the whole season ahead of us. The ADAC GT Masters is a strong series with fast drivers and cars. The standard is incredibly high, but this is where we start our mission to become champions,” said Jonathan Aberdein.

Sven Müller was second fastest on Tuesday © Photo: ADAC

The second fastest driver was Sven Müller (30/Bingen) of Allied-Racing, who took 1:24.554 minutes to complete his fastest lap in a Porsche 911 GT3 R. He was followed by Florian Spengler (34/Ellwangen), 0.192 seconds slower than Müller, in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II run by von Car Collection Motorsport.

Fastest in the first test session on Tuesday: Franck Perera © Photo: ADAC

In the first session of the day, it was Franck Perera (38/F) who topped the timings in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo of Emil Frey Racing. Drago Racing Team ZVO driver Jules Gounon (27/F) then set the fastest time in the final session in his Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

With cool temperatures of around 10 degrees, three sessions with a total duration of 3:40 hours were held on Tuesday in Oschersleben. On a damp track, the drivers tested various set-ups and the new tyre provided by the series’ long-term partner. “Pirelli has done a very good job. The tyres have a lot of grip and the balance between the front and rear axle is excellent,” praised Sven Müller.

The busiest driver on the first day of the test was Thierry Vermeulen © Photo: ADAC

The busiest driver on the first day of the test was newcomer Thierry Vermeulen (NL) from the Car Collection Motorsport team, who completed 88 laps and a distance of 322.696 kilometres in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. A further three test sessions are scheduled for Wednesday. The teams and drivers will have a good four and a half hours to ensure that their cars are perfectly prepared for the opening round of the German GT Championship on 22nd April at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.