Three teams making guest starts and two replacement drivers will be putting pedal to the metal in the ADAC GT Masters at the Nürburgring. Following the first practice sessions, they reveal their impressions and experiences in the ADAC’s GT3 series, as it features on the bill for the Int. Shell ADAC Truck Grand Prix.
One of the rookies is Alexander Tauscher. The 23-year-old stepped in at Razoon – more than Racing, for whom he lines up alongside Leo Pichler (24/AUT) in a Porsche 911 GT3 R. He usually lines up in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. This weekend, however, he is standing in for Colin Bönighausen (21/Isernhagen), who suffered a non-racing related injury and is therefore unable to start. “It is a new experience for me from top to bottom, and my first time in a GT3 car. It is a long time since I have been this excited travelling to a racetrack. I am trying to soak up the atmosphere, which has been amazing so far. I am really enjoying it. My team-mate Leo has had to answer a few questions yesterday and today, but he has been happy to do so. We get on very well and have known each other since 2021 in ADAC GT4 Germany. Hopefully, we can show that we work together well and really complement each other. I must rein it in a little, as I have a lot to learn. However, the fighting spirit is always the same. If we could make it onto the podium, that would really be super!”
There is a returnee at the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 belonging to GRT Grasser Racing Team. None other than the team principal himself, Gottfried Grasser. He made his ADAC GT Masters debut in 2011, and contested twelve races between then and 2013. He now returns for two guest starts alongside his good friend Gerhard Tweraser (37/AUT). “It is exciting, crazy fun, and an absolute pleasure. The ambition obviously returns. It is extremely funny with Gerhard. All our tests took place in cold weather, and now, in these temperatures, I understand why my drivers are always whining that it is so hot in the car. If we finish ahead of one or two cars in qualifying, I will be happy. After that, we will see what kind of a start we get off to and how the races progress.”
Nico Hantke (22/Hürth) was a regular in the ADAC GT Masters in the past two seasons, winning two races and securing one pole position. He is now back for Prosport Racing, together with Felice Jelmini (31/ITA) in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. “We had a really good start, and I am super happy to be back here. The car is fun and the Nürburgring is generally a cool circuit – the atmosphere is great, particularly at the Truck GP. The Mercedes is really similar to the Aston Martin that I used to drive. However, I have been racing in an Audi a lot recently, and that is quite different. I have had to get used to the car. We definitely want to challenge for a place on the podium. However, only the first qualifying session on Saturday morning will give us a real indication of how we compare to the others.”
Enrico Förderer (19/Leuterod) is another making his debut in a GT3 car this weekend. The reigning ADAC GT4 Germany champion is sharing the cockpit of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm with his championship-winning team-mate Jay Mo Härtling (23/Sprockhövel). “I am really enjoying it so far. The first laps in a GT3 car were simply incredible. It is unbelievable fun, and I am looking forward to the weekend. Together with the team and Jay Mo, we are very confident and know what we are capable of. My goal is to make the most of the weekend, leave the car in one piece, and not do anything stupid.”
Another rookie is Victor Nielsen (19/DNK) in a BMW M4 GT3 Evo. The Dane usually drives for FK Performance Motorsport in ADAC GT4 Germany, but is being given his first taste of the ADAC GT Masters this weekend. “I have driven my first laps in a GT3 car, and it was an unbelievable experience. Last weekend I was at the Norisring with ADAC GT4 Germany. After my first impressions here, I think it is going to be hard to go back (laughs). The difference in speed and downforce is crazy. It has gone really well so far, and I have built up trust in the car. As far as results are concerned, I don’t have any great expectations for the weekend. The most important thing for me is to be able to hold my own in the team, and not to be a second or more slower than the team’s other two cars.”
