Reactions from the paddock after Sunday’s race in the German GT Championship in Hohenstein-Ernstthal.

Raffael Marciello, Mann-Filter Team Landgraf, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo #48 “It was a very turbulent race with many retirements and punctures. Daniel set it up nicely and I tried to look after my tyres and stay clear of trouble. The two second places this weekend mean we have scored valuable points in the championship. The title race will be decided in Hockenheim.”

Daniel Juncadella, Mann-Filter Team Landgraf, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo #48 “I had a good start and was able to gain two places. However, we lost a little ground again after the pit stop. Because a number of cars in front of us had technical issues, we were able to climb back towards the front and eventually came home second to score good points again.”

Marco Mapelli, Paul Motorsport, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo #71 “We had major issues with the tyres in the days prior to the race, and had to change the set-up of the car a bit. However, we knew that the race would ultimately be about surviving on the tyres. Unlike on Saturday, we managed that on Sunday. As such, third place is a very good result.”

Maximilian Paul, Paul Motorsport, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo #71 “That was by far my toughest race. Marco did a great job and handed the car over to me in second place. I then had big difficulties and struggled with tyres that were degrading badly. Given that, I am happy to have finished third.”

Sven Müller, Allied-Racing, Porsche 911 GT3 R #22 “I struggled to make out the green flag and unfortunately made a false start, which really surprised me. I then wanted to do the penalty lap and switched on my warning light, to let the car behind me know. I was suddenly hit on my rear wheel and span. After that, it was impossible to get a good result. We had hoped for more from the Sachsenring, but we were about a second off the pace of the leaders in qualifying. We will try to get a good result again at the finale in Hockenheim.”

Tim Zimmermann, Montaplast by Land-Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II #1 “It could have been a good race with a real chance of winning. Then we get a puncture on lap two. That is really frustrating. Somehow, our luck is not changing. However, we have to look forward. The team did a great job. The unscheduled tyre change after the puncture went smoothly. I am happy to be working with such great people.”

Dennis Marschall, Rutronik Racing, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II #27 “We had a puncture on the rear-left tyre. I cannot say whether it came about through wear or a contact. Having to retire so close to the finish is bitter. I am incredibly disappointed.”

Fabian Schiller, Drago Racing Team ZVO, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo #4 “That was an unlucky day for us today. We had a good car, with which we could still have won despite the 20 kilograms of extra weight. However, a frustrating mistake then meant that we were disqualified from qualifying, which Jules had dominated. In the race, Jules climbed from last to eighth place. Then the pedal box jammed during the pit stop, which virtually never happens, and I was unable to continue.”

Christian Engelhart, Team Joos Sportwagentechnik, Porsche 911 GT3 R #91 “We had a good start, then there was a battle and contact in front of Ayhancan on the exit from turn seven. The two drivers in front of him slowed down, Ayhancan braked, but the car behind him did not. He drove straight into us, badly damaged the diffusor and exhaust, and we had to retire. We still have a mathematical chance of winning the championship in Hockenheim, but we can no longer win without a big mistake from the others. A big dream was shattered today, but we will push hard again in Hockenheim. Anything can happen in motorsport.”

Arthur Rougier, Emil Frey Racing, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo #19 “It is another weekend, on which we had the speed but did not score the points we deserved. Yesterday, a red flag made my qualifying really frustrating, as I was battling for a top position. Plus, Franck had a tough qualifying this morning. We had good pace in the race and made up a lot of positions. Ninth place in race one and sixth place today, from right at the back of the grid, were really positive results at a track where it is very difficult to overtake.”