Races five and six of this season's ADAC GT Masters at the Dekra Lausitzring. Championship leaders Hirsiger and Zulauf are the hunted, home event for Primm and HGL Racing. Highlights off the track: "Dick Brave" concert and public screening of World Cup.
The ADAC GT Masters is headed for the Dekra Lausitzring for its third round of the season. The 3.478-kilometre track in the picturesque holiday region of the Lusatian Lake District hosts the ADAC's GT3 series from 19th to 21st June. For the first time this season, the weekend will feature two endurance races. More highlights await for rock 'n' roll and football fans: "Dick Brave" alias Sasha will appear on the "DTM Powerstage presented by Pirelli" on Saturday evening, followed immediately by a public screening of the football World Cup, as Germany takes on the Ivory Coast. Fans can still purchase tickets for the event, which shares the bill for the DTM, for as little as € 59 at dtm.com. Those watching from home can look forward to full coverage of the Sunday race and highlights of race one from the Dekra Lausitzring from 15:05 on free-to-air TV, courtesy of Sport1. Both races will also be streamed live on Joyn, ServusTV On and youtube.com/ADACMotorsports, with coverage starting at 15:10.
The favourites in Lusatia
The hot favourites coming into the two races at the Dekra Lausitzring are the championship leaders in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2. Felix Hirsiger (28/CHE) and Finn Zulauf (21/Königstein im Taunus/both Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport) have claimed a victory at each event of the season so far, resulting in a lead of 18 points over their closest rivals Tim Zimmermann (29/Langenargen) and Leyton Fourie (20/ZAF/both FK Performance Motorsport) in a BMW M4 GT3 Evo.
Zulauf secured pole position last year and led the race until he suffered a technical issue. As such, he arrives in Lusatia feeling optimistic. "The Lausitzring is my favourite circuit. On the one hand, it has a very strong character, with all the bumps. On the other hand, it is by far my most successful track. I have had a pole position in every series, in which I have driven there," says the 21-year-old. "That gives me a lot of confidence, although there are obviously many factors that play a role. The most important thing is constantly to be among the front-runners, and to score plenty of points towards the championship."
Their rivals Zimmermann and Fourie endured a tough weekend at the Lausitzring last season. However, Fourie has consigned that to history, as his team FK Performance Motorsport know what went wrong and travel to Lusatia on the back of their first win of the season in Zandvoort. "The circuit is not ideal for our BMW, but we will still try to get the best out of the package and will not worry too much about it," says Fourie. He and Zimmermann won the most recent endurance race at the end of last season's ADAC GT Masters, and they are looking forward to the next two races. Each one will last 80 minutes, including two driver changeovers, a tyre change and refuelling. "Last year, we did not initially know what the tyre needed over the course of an endurance race. We understood that far better by the end, and we ultimately took victory. The tyre really lasted a long time during our win at the Salzburgring. I enjoy this race format, unless it is too hot. It is a change from other race weekends and brings a new level of excitement," Fourie chuckles. With temperatures of over 30 degrees forecast, the two races could be an endurance test for the drivers and cars alike.
One driver travelling to Lusatia with very high hopes is Leo Pichler (24/AUT). The Porsche driver won both of last year's races at the Dekra Lausitzring with his team Razoon - more than Racing. He now returns to the scene of his success with his new team-mate Colin Bönighausen (21/Isernhagen). "I obviously still have very fond memories of last year. That was the best weekend me and my team have had so far in the ADAC GT Masters. It would be unbelievable if we could achieve something similar again," says Pichler, who has also won one race this season and currently lies fifth in the championship. "We have gained a lot of confidence. As such, we will obviously do our very best at the Lausitzring, and hope for another win there. The track is very selective. There are no boring sections, as it is constantly twisting and turning and every detail counts. I can hardly wait to get going."
Home outing for HGL Racing and Simon Connor Primm
The Dekra Lausitzring is a home outing for Simon Connor Primm (21/Großschirna) and his rookie team HGL Racing from Leipzig. Primm looked good for victory on his home track with his former team in 2025, until technology dashed his hopes. "The Lausitzring is not an easy circuit, as a result of the bumps. The long straight might not be ideal for our Audi, but other than that the track should really suit our car," says Primm. The goal for the Saxon driver and his HGL Racing team remains top five results in their debut season in the ADAC GT Masters – with extra motivation at their home event. "Many family members and sponsors will be there. It is also a nice experience for them to see everything live, instead of just on television."