Impressive start for the new Ford Mustang GT3 and Haupt Racing Team. Finn Wiebelhaus (19/Obertshausen) set Friday’s fastest time of 1:20.348 minutes at the opening round of the 2025 ADAC GT Masters at the Lausitzring. “We are still learning something new about this car every day. This morning, the grip conditions on the track were very good and my lap was okay too. That gives me a good feeling for tomorrow,” said Wiebelhaus, who shares the car with Salman Owega (19/Cologne).
Repair work on the track meant Free Practice 1 had to be suspended and only resumed after a lengthy interruption. However, there was no beating the time set by the HRT driver – neither upon resumption of FP1 or in the shortened second session.
The second-fastest lap of the day came courtesy of Leo Pichler (23/AT/razoon – more than racing). The Austrian stopped the clock at 1:20.501 minutes in his Porsche 911 GT3 R. “The day really went very well. We did two qualifying simulations and a long run. We found the right set-up for the weekend and I am looking forward to finally really getting down to business,” said Pichler, who shares the driving duties with Simon Birch (18/DNK). “I think it is great that we now have so many endurance races. It makes the championship even more exciting.”
Rounding out the top three were Tim Zimmermann (28/Langenargen) and Leyton Fourie (19/South Africa/both FK Performance Motorsport). The two BMW M4 GT3 drivers finished in the top three in both practice sessions. Fourth place went to Julian Hanses (27/Hilden/FK Performance Motorsport) in another BMW. The top five was completed by Niklas Kalus (19/Duisburg/Haupt Racing Team), who set the afternoon’s fastest time of 1:20.834 minutes.
The drivers in the ADAC’s GT3 series begin their first qualifying of the season at 08:30 on Saturday morning. This will decide who starts from pole position when the first race of the championship gets underway at 14:10. The drivers at the wheel for Saturday’s qualifying will drive the first and third stints in the 80-minute endurance race. Their team-mates will take over behind the wheel after the first pit stop, before handing the car back in the second stop. Qualifying and the race are broadcast live in German and English on the ADAC Motorsport channel at youtube.com/@ADACMotorsports. Fans can also stream the opening race of the season on Joyn and ServusTV ON, and can also watch the action later on demand.
