After a year away, the Aust Motorsport team is set to make its comeback in the Prototype Cup Germany under the leadership of Frank Aust. Alternating at the wheel of the Ligier JS P320 will be drivers Sven Barth and Maxim Dirickx.

“After a year’s break, I am really looking forward to being part of the Prototype Cup Germany again,” says team principal Frank Aust, who remained in touch with the paddock during the 2024 season. “The Prototype Cup Germany is a great racing series, which is still relatively affordable and has developed over the years. The ADAC and Creventic, who organise the Cup together, listen to us teams and take our opinions seriously. Only that way can we develop and improve together.” Aust Motorsport have also improved their Ligier; the team was far from idle during last year’s break. “We were at TRE, where we worked hard on developing our LMP3 racer. I am optimistic that we are even stronger on our return to the Prototype Cup Germany.”

Two new drivers will be behind the wheel of the Aust car, in the form of 44-year-old German Sven Barth and 20-year-old Maxim Dirickx from Belgium. Both men raced in the 2024 Prototype Cup Germany and even started together for the Gebhardt Motorsport team, before going their separate ways at the third race weekend. Driving a Duqueine D08, the pairing of Barth and Dirickx enjoyed their best result with a fifth place at the Dekra Lausitzring. “Sven brings the experience and know-how that we need to be successful in this demanding series. Over the course of his career, he has often shown what he is capable of. Maxim is a promising talent, who perhaps still lacks a little experience with the LMP3. After all, when he joined the Prototype Cup Germany a year ago, he came straight from karting and thus had no experience of automobile racing to call upon,” says the team principal. “However, we will do some testing ahead of the opening race at Spa-Francorchamps, and I believe that he will have a really good season alongside the experienced Sven Barth.”