Paddock Radar from the Salzburgring

Formula 1 flair in the paddock, a birthday party, a special visitor, and a spectacular fightback. The Paddock Radar from the Salzburgring.

Formula 1 flair in the ADAC GT Masters

A very special spectator visited the ADAC GT Masters on Saturday: Formula 1 legend Franz Tost, who spent many years as a team principal in the pinnacle of motor racing. He was at the Salzburgring to support Tim Hütter. The Austrian is in his second season driving for Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport, and is now being aided in his development, both as a person and a driver, by his compatriot Tost. Tost, who comes from the Tyrol region of Austria, presented the trophies to the second-placed pairing of Fabian Dybionka and Emil Gjerdrum from Haupt Racing Team.

Tim Zimmermann celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday © Photo: ADAC

A big birthday on race day

An ADAC GT Masters institution celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday: Tim Zimmermann. The FK Performance driver was delighted to receive two birthday cakes, an affectionate rendition of happy birthday by his team, and countless congratulations from throughout the whole paddock. His BMW M4 GT3 Evo also sported a special sticker. However, Zimmermann and his team-mate Fourie gave themselves the best birthday present on the eve of his birthday: they stormed through from sixth place to take victory number three of the season, and at the same time move to the top of the table. They now travel to the finale at the Hockenheimring as championship leaders.

Philipp Eng was a captivated spectator at the ADAC GT Masters event at the Salzburgring © Photo: ADAC

Familiar face in the paddock

Former ADAC GT Masters driver Philipp Eng visited his old workplace on Sunday. Born in Salzburg, Eng contested 38 races in the series between 2011 and 2017, during which time he celebrated one victory. The BMW works driver is currently racing in America, but was able to complete his very first laps of the Salzburgring in a race car, the BMW M4 GT4, just a few weeks ago. “This is actually my first time as a fan at the racetrack for a long time, and I am really enjoying it,” said Eng. “I am thrilled that the ADAC GT Masters is racing here at the Salzburgring. It is super for the Salzburgring and the whole region to have such a great racing series here.”

Luca Link was not only active as a driver, but also on the microphone © Photo: ADAC

Double role in the car and on the microphone

It was a weekend of firsts for Luca Link: the 22-year-old contested his first race weekend in the ADAC GT Masters for FK Performance Motorsport, and also did his very first laps at the Salzburgring. However, the GT3 debut was still not enough for the ADAC GT4 Germany driver. While his team-mate Joseph Ellerine was in action on Saturday, Link joined Frank Hufstadt as co-commentator. And the young man mastered both debuts superbly. At the end of the race, a second guest took his place in the commentator’s cabin: Manuel Reuter. The former DTM driver is now a mentor to Haupt Racing Team. With over 200 DTM races under his belt, he was able to analyse the action in detail, as he watched his two youngsters in the Ford Mustang GT3 do battle for victory.

DTM driver Luca Engstler presented the trophy to Leyton Fourie © Photo: ADAC

DTM driver Luca Engstler presents trophies

It was a weekend full of emotion for Lamborghini works driver and DTM racer Luca Engstler. His father Franz Engstler’s team, Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport, achieved two pole positions, but was unable to start from the front of the grid once. Technical issues, penalties, and the loss of the championship lead were followed by an impressive victory. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, Engstler was still on hand on Sunday to present the trophy to, of all people, championship rival Leyton Fourie, who won the “Road to DTM” competition.

Felix Hirsiger and Finn Zulauf produced the fightback of the weekend © Photo: ADAC

Impressive fightback

Felix Hirsiger and Finn Zulauf endured a difficult weekend with many setbacks. Having been relegated from pole position to the back of the grid for race two, the duo, fuelled by plenty of frustration, produced a sensational fightback to climb twelve positions and take victory. Only two duos have won from further back in the ADAC GT Masters: in 2013, Audi drivers Christopher Mies and René Rast recovered from 15th place to take the win. Only Elia Erhart and Pierre Kaffer have trumped that, storming to victory from 26th place at the Sachsenring. However, the Audi duo was aided by a safety car phase while the pit stop window was open. That shook up the entire field, and Erhart and Kaffer were the main beneficiaries.