The paddock radar from Zandvoort

A megastar in the paddock, a visit from some familiar faces, and success away from the track. The paddock radar from Circuit Zandvoort.

Star streamer “Monte” at the ADAC GT Masters

A top star paid a visit to Max Reis’ pit box on Saturday: “MontanaBlack”, one of the best-known German streamers, had been invited along by the Haupt Racing Team driver. Millions of fans love to watch him every day on Twitch and YouTube. He streamed his paddock visit, the grid line-up, and other behind-the-scenes insights for his six million or so followers on Twitch. “When I spotted that he was in Amsterdam, I sorted out a ticket and invited him over right away. I was delighted that he decided to drop everything and join us,” explained Reis. After taking a look around with Reis’ father Ralph, he went to say hello to Max Reis on the grid before watching the race from the pit box. “I thought that was really cool, as he didn’t have a proper idea of what goes on behind the scenes in motorsport. Everyone watching the livestream loved it too. The feedback was really positive and a lot of people were asking if he could do something like that again.”

Felix Hirsiger treated himself to a birthday present: victory in Zandvoort © Photo: ADAC

Belated birthday present

Felix Hirsiger celebrated his 28th birthday on the Wednesday before the race weekend in Zandvoort. The Swiss driver treated himself to a really special present a few days later. Hirsiger won the second race in Zandvoort together with team-mate Finn Zulauf, a result that sees the two drivers from the Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport extend their lead in the standings.

Indy Dontje with his son Bobby © Photo: ADAC

Familiar faces in the paddock

There were two former top ADAC GT Masters drivers from the Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort last weekend – for different reasons. Jaap van Lagen, with two ADAC GT Masters wins in Zandvoort under his belt, now races in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux that featured as part of the supporting programme. His compatriot Indy Dontje competed in 56 ADAC GT Masters races, finishing third overall with Maximilian Götz in 2019. He was at Circuit Zandvoort to share his passion for the sport with his family – a trip that his son Bobby particularly enjoyed.

Debut podium for Fabio Rauer and Storm Gjerdrum in the ADAC GT Masters © Photo: ADAC

Young drivers on the up

Storm Gjerdrum and Fabio Rauer finished third in Sunday’s ADAC GT Masters race at Circuit Zandvoort to claim a spot on the podium. Their age of 18 years, four months and 26 days makes them the third-youngest driving duo in the history of the series to have reached the rostrum. Martin Matzke and Jiri Skula still top those standings, having recorded a 2007 podium on debut in Hockenheim aged 17 years, five months and 13 days.

Markus Winkelhock presenting the trophy to Juliano Holzem © Photo: ADAC

Special guest on the podium

Markus Winkelhock presented the trophies to Saturday’s runners-up, Sandro und Juliano Holzem from Schubert Motorsport. Winkelhock knows that feeling better than anyone else. Between 2011 and 2022, he competed in 120 ADAC GT Masters races, reaching the podium on six occasions.