That was one big statement from Benjamin Hites. The Chilean set a new lap record of 1:37.358 minutes in qualifying at the opening round of the ADAC GT Masters in Hockenheim, breaking the previous record set six years ago by Philipp Eng. The 24-year-old was also delighted to win the Pirelli Pole Position Award.
“Qualifying was great fun and I really enjoyed it. I was able to get my Pirelli tyres into the ideal temperature range. I am very proud to be taking the trophy for the fastest lap with me to Chile. Overtaking is quite difficult in Hockenheim, which makes pole position all the more important,” said the ADAC GT Masters debutant. Hites and Lamborghini works driver Marco Mapelli will now start the race from first place. They are joined on the front row by Tim Zimmermann from Porsche team Huber Racing.
Under blue skies and with track temperatures around 32 degrees, the drivers set off in pursuit of rapid lap times for the first time in the 2023 season at 09:00 on Saturday morning. What unfolded was a thrilling battle for the best grid positions in the opening race at the “Festival of Dreams”. The GRT Grasser Racing Team ultimately came out on top. However, the pole-sitter faced a nervous conclusion to the 20-minute session. Zimmermann came up just 0.022 seconds short in his Porsche 911 GT3 R. The second row of the grid is occupied by two Mercedes-AMG teams. Salman Owega (Landgraf Motorsport) held the upper hand in the battle of the Mercedes-AMGs, and will start ahead of Alain Valente (Haupt Racing Team). Jannes Fittje from Huber Motorsport was fifth fastest, half a second slower than Hites.
The first race of the season at the former Formula 1 circuit gets underway at 13:00. TV partner Sport1 is broadcasting the ADAC GT Masters live on free-to-air TV with a team of experts led by presenter Ruth Hofmann and commentator Peter Kohl. The 60-minute sprint will also be available to view in a free livestream at youtube.com/@ADACMotorsports.