ADAC Stiftung Sport drivers Simon Connor Primm and Finn Zulauf shared the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 of Paul Motorsport 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?
Simon Connor Primm: “I think I would find the hotels, as they would be a bit overpriced if Finn were to choose them. I book on the fly and usually find something good.”
Finn Zulauf: “He finds hotels that are better value for money (laughs).”
Who has the bigger suitcase?
Finn Zulauf: “Neither of us has a big suitcase. All we actually take with us is sports equipment.”
Simon Connor Primm: “We really only take what we need. Nothing extra.”
Which of you is most likely to leave something at home?
Finn Zulauf: “That is probably me (laughs). I am always forgetting things, like my sunglasses. I think my sunglasses have travelled to more racetracks in the team truck than I have this year (laughs). However, I always check three times that I have the important stuff – you cannot afford to forget something like your helmet.”
Simon Connor Primm: “That’s true, his sunglasses have been everywhere, from Paul Ricard to Monza.”
Which of you is more punctual?
Simon Connor Primm: “Me, 100 percent.”
Finn Zulauf: “I am also punctual, but I just arrive at the meeting place later than Simon. He is always there half an hour too soon, because he is an early riser, while I sleep until the last possible moment (laughs).”
Which of you has the better taste when it comes to food?
Finn Zulauf: “We are both very particular when it comes to food, and are careful to eat healthily. We go over the menu together ahead of the weekend, and decide when we are actually going to eat.”
Simon Connor Primm: “We are very picky in this regard. We don’t want fatty or fried food. On some days, we are able to pick out a few things from the menu. However, if that is not possible, we head to the supermarket together to buy quark with fruit, nuts, rice cakes, lentil cakes and oats. Things, for which you don’t need a kitchen to prepare.”
Finn Zulauf: “We did think about moving into a shared apartment and cooking together there.”
Who is the most chaotic of the two of you?
Simon Connor Primm: “I would say that is probably Finn. He is somethings a little chaotic, but really only a little.”
Finn Zulauf: “I would say that neither of us is particularly chaotic or messy. There are definitely worse people than us.”
Which of you is most likely to have a heated discussion with your engineer or team principal?
Finn Zulauf: “I think I am more likely to let my emotions get the better of me when things are not going well, or as expected. I can soon lose my rag. However, I don’t take it out on the team. It has nothing to do with the engineer either, I just get cross with myself. All I need is five to ten minutes on my own, then everything is fine again.”
Simon Connor Primm: “It depends how the season has gone. If something stupid happens, then I can get cross too. However, I don’t see the point in yelling at anyone or getting angry. That can only have a negative effect on the whole mentality of the team. For that reason, I remain professional.”
Which of you is most addicted to using your mobile phone?
Finn Zulauf: “I am probably on my phone more. I only do the bare minimum on Instagram and WhatsApp with my closest friends. Otherwise, I try not to be on my phone during a race weekend.”
Simon Connor Primm: “Yes, probably Finn. I have the classics: Instagram and WhatsApp. But you hardly have any time to be on your phone at a race weekend.”
Which of you has the most annoying habit, and what is it?
Finn Zulauf: “That is me. I am always chewing my fingernails. I think it annoys our engineer (laughs).”
Simon Connor Primm: “I don’t really notice it, but I do believe it really irritates our engineer.”
Which of your partner’s attributes would you gladly adopt?
Simon Connor Primm: “I am by no means an excitable guy, but Finn is even more relaxed. For example, he remains totally calm before qualifying. I would like to have that degree of calm sometimes.”
Finn Zulauf: “I am also ambitious and determined when it comes to sport, but I would sometimes like to be even more so, like Simon, and to be able to wake up so early. There is a fitness tracking app, in which we can follow each other’s activities. Whenever I get up, I can see that he has already done another 20-kilometre run or cycled 50 kilometres. And I’m just waking up. I wish I could also motivate myself to do more in the mornings.”
