ADAC GT4 Germany was in Oschersleben for the third of six race weekends that make up the 2026 season. Here are a few fascinating fascinating tales and background stories from the paddock.
Podium ceremony with fans: As usual, ADAC GT4 Germany featured on the support programme for the DTM – and that made the event a real crowd-puller. Over the course of the race weekend, 55,100 visitors flocked to the circuit in the Magdeburg Börde region, where they enjoyed a new highlight: the podium ceremony took place right next to the Dekra Fan Tower – in the middle of all the fans.
Prominent guest: On Saturday, former professional footballer Torsten Frings came to Oschersleben to take a closer look at the DTM and ADAC GT4 Germany. “He and his sons have often been with us at the kart track, and that contact has just developed over time. We have now become good friends,” said Leon Bauchmüller (19/Kurchlinteln, ME Motorsport), revealing the reason for the visit from the former German international. “They want to come again at the Nürburgring.”
First podium: Michael Maniszewski (56/Bienenbüttel) made his ADAC GT4 Germany debut at the wheel of a BMW M4 GT4 for Razoon - more than Racing. And he did so with great success: together with Daniel Drexel (25/AUT), he won the PRO-AM class on Saturday. The duo then returned to the podium on Sunday. “It was quite simply a super weekend, and great fun. I learned a lot. That is actually the very first time in my career that I have made it onto the podium. That was fantastic,” said a beaming Maniszewski. “I am not ruling out another guest start this year.”
Four years between victories: The Sunday race was won by Lucas Cartelle (18/BEL) and Hudson Schwartz (17/USA, both CRT) in a Toyota GR Supra GT4. This was the second success for the Japanese manufacturer in ADAC GT4 Germany, having previously won the Saturday race at the Nürburgring in 2022. Interestingly, that race also saw the Supra convert pole position to claim a commanding lights-to-flag victory.
Bus tour: The DTM Track Safari, in which fans spend a session being chauffeured around the track in coaches, took place again in Oschersleben. This weekend’s tour guides were ADAC GT4 Germany drivers Maximilian Schreyer (17/Marburg, AVIA W&S Motorsport) and Philipp Gogollok (20/Bad Homburg, COSY Racing by ESM). “It was a nice experience to be out on the track together with the GT3 cars,” said Gogollok. “Whether you are a racing driver or a fan, I can only recommend doing it. Those DTM guys really fly!”
Rapid rookies: The Rookie classification is for drivers under the age of 25 who are contesting their first year in GT4 racing. On Saturday, victory went to Marius Schmid (18/Tengen, BWT Mücke Motorsport) in a Mercedes-AMG GT4, while Lukas Stiefelhagen (19/NED, ME Motorsport) triumphed in a BMW on Sunday – both also tasted success at the season opener and the Norisring. “The Rookie competition is perfect, as it allows you to compare yourself to drivers with a similar level of experience. The clear goal for this season is to win the Rookie title,” said Schmid.
Favourite circuit: Gabriele Piana (39/ITA, FK Performance Motorsport) has contested every race in ADAC GT4 Germany to date. From Zandvoort to the Red Bull Ring – the Italian knows all the racetracks and has one clear favourite: “Oschersleben, of course! The layout is exciting and really suits the BMW. Plus, I am usually lucky here and do pretty well,” said Piana, who has six wins to his name in the Magdeburg Börde region. This time too, Piana made it onto the podium in both races.
