Leyton Fourie and Tim Zimmermann shared the BMW M4 GT3 Evo of FK Performance Motorsport in the ADAC GT Masters and, with two race wins to their name, ended the season as runners-up. A good relationship, trust and mutual respect are essential, in order to be able to perform out on the track. But aside from tenths of seconds, tyre pressure and set-up, how well do the two team-mates really know each other? The answer, and a few anecdotes, can be found in this rather different interview.
Which of you would find a hotel?
Leyton Fourie: “Tim would do that. Without a doubt!”
Tim Zimmermann: “Are you sure? Have you seen my hotel this weekend?”
Leyton Fourie: “100 percent, absolutely no question. You are so picky! After the races, he cannot get to the hotel fast enough. It is very important to him to be as comfortable as possible.”
Who has the bigger suitcase?
Leyton Fourie: “I would say that I do. I always bring my rucksack to the circuit with everything you can imagine. Tim, on the other hand, arrives at the circuit with what appears to be nothing.” (laughs)
Which of you is more likely to leave something at home?
Tim Zimmermann: “Definitely Leyton. He would be completely lost without his sister.”
Leyton Fourie: “Yes, that’s true. I would forget my own head without her. I actually left my ticket in the hotel at the Lausitzring – a great way to start the season.” (laughs)
Which of you is more punctual?
Leyton Fourie: “Tim! If he says he will be there at 8 o’clock on Friday, then he will genuinely turn up at 07:59. He is always there on the dot. If I am just one minute late, he will call me already.” (laughs)
Tim Zimmermann: “Let’s get straight to the point: I am German.” (laughs)
Which of you has the best taste when it comes to food?
Tim Zimmermann: “That is me. Leyton only ever eats sausages.”
Leyton Fourie: “I agree to disagree on this one. Yes, I like eating sausages, but that is good taste!” (laughs)
Tim Zimmermann: “I would definitely be the one to choose the restaurant.”
Leyton Fourie: “Unfortunately, yes, because I don’t find his taste as good as mine. However, I cope…all season.” (laughs)
Which of you is the most chaotic?
Tim Zimmermann: “Can we call that a draw?”
Leyton Fourie: “Yes, I would agree there. I think we both have our days.”
Which of you is most likely to have a heated discussion with your engineer or team principal?
Tim Zimmermann: “That is 100 percent Leyton!”
Leyton Fourie: “Yes, I have to admit that one. In the heat of the moment, I am always having discussions with the engineers. However, we talk things through and then everything is fine again. Nobody falls out and we do not take things to heart. However, I must honestly admit: I am often pretty tough on them, but at the same time we have a lot of fun together.”
Tim Zimmermann: “You can hear them crying in the truck again at the moment.” (laughs)
Which of you is most addicted to using your mobile phone?
Leyton Fourie: “It feels like yours is always dead (laughs). The battery status tells you all you need to know …”
Tim Zimmermann: “I don’t charge it overnight. I would say that you are on your phone more.”
Leyton Fourie: “OK, that is true. But I am only ever on Instagram and WhatsApp, I don’t use it for anything else.”
Which of you has the most annoying habit, and what is it?
Tim Zimmermann: “My most annoying habit is that I am always hungry. 24/7.
Leyton Fourie: “Yes! As soon as the team meal is ready, Tim is always the first there with a plate. And I always have to go with him and eat with him. All you hear is ‘Leeeeyton, dinner’, and I have to come running.” (laughs)
Which of your partner’s attributes would you gladly adopt?
Tim Zimmermann: “To be honest, nothing.”
Leyton Fourie: “I agree. We are actually so different that we just form a perfect package together.”
Tim Zimmermann: “Yes, we are like a jigsaw, in which all the pieces fit together nicely just as they are.”
