Niklas Kalus and Max Reis shared the Ford Mustang GT3 of Haupt Racing Team in the ADAC GT Masters. 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?
Max Reis: “That is hard to say, because we both always come to the circuit in a mobile home.”
Niklas Kalus: “Assuming we had to, then it would be Max. To be honest, I would be too lazy (laughs).”
Who has the bigger suitcase?
Max Reis: “I don’t actually need a lot, so I don’t have a large suitcase.”
Niklas Kalus: “It is a similar story with me, so both our suitcases are pretty small.”
Which of you is most likely to leave something at home?
Max Reis: “I always write a list and check everything off. As such, it is very unlikely that anything is missing.”
Niklas Kalus: “To be honest, I don’t pack my own suitcase (laughs). If I did, then I would definitely leave something or other behind. I know that I left my in-ear earphones at home on the Nürburgring weekend, and that somebody had to drive back to my home to get them.”
Which of you is more punctual?
Niklas Kalus: “I would say that I am very punctual. I am often first.”
Max Reis: “I don’t think we are too bad, I am also a very punctual person. Generally speaking, we are both always the first people to arrive anywhere.”
Niklas Kalus: “However, when it comes to getting out of bed, Max takes longer. I just get up, take a shower, and leave.”
Max Reis: “I like to have at least an hour, preferably an hour and a half, to shower and do all that morning stuff. I am somebody who takes it easy on a morning.”
Which of you has the better taste when it comes to food?
Max Reis: “I do cook myself now and then, and was given a few cooking courses for my birthday. I obviously set great store by healthy food, but the cooking courses are based more on fundamentals, such as cutting techniques.”
Niklas Kalus: “I am very fussy. When it comes to cooking for myself, I can only really do scrambled egg (laughs). When it comes to finding a restaurant, I would probably get my way. I prefer Italian cuisine. I usually just want a pizza and don’t like any fish, for example.”
Who is the most chaotic of the two of you?
Max Reis: “At home, everything is always tidy. I even hang my shirts up neatly and my desk always has to be neat and tidy. I really don’t like it if my room is a mess.”
Niklas Kalus: “I would say that Max is the most chaotic at the racetrack, but it is probably me at home. I don’t find tidying up that important there – which you can tell, unfortunately.” (laughs)
Which of you is most likely to have a heated discussion with your engineer or team principal?
Max Reis: “I can’t remember doing anything like that. I am a very calm person and never lose my rag on the radio.”
Niklas Kalus: “We are both rather quiet guys and tend to steer clear of loud arguments.”
Which of you is most addicted to using your mobile phone?
Max Reis: “I think that is me. When I have a few hours free, I spend a couple of hours on my phone. I am usually on Snapchat or TikTok. Now and again, I play a well-known battle and strategy game, which everyone is currently playing in school.”
Which of you has the most annoying habit, and what is it?
Niklas Kalus: “I can’t think of anything for either of us there.”
Which of your partner’s attributes would you gladly adopt?
Niklas Kalus: “His inner peace. He is calmer than me on the radio.”
Max Reis: “I would like to have school behind me, as he has.”
