Local driver and Porsche ace David Jahn: One to watch in heated battle for title

• Porsche driver in P3 overall in drivers' standings is ready to pounce
• Jahn and Kévin Estre have taken the most points from the last few races
• Jahn's KÜS TEAM75 Bernhard with strong showing in very first season

Munich: From 16 points to 116 in six races and in the middle of the title fight as a result - David Jahn (25, DEU, KÜS TEAM75 Bernhard) has taken a lot of points in the drivers' standings from the last three events of the 2016 ADAC GT Masters. In the run-up to the season finale at Hockenheim (30th September - 2nd October), the Porsche driver, who was born in Speyer not far from the circuit, is ranked third and, with only a 30-point deficit, intends to turn the title battle between Audi and Corvette into a three-way fight.

In less than a season, the newcomers from Bernhard KÜS TEAM75 led by sports car champion Timo Bernhard and his father Rüdiger have managed to play a major role in the title fight now raging in the Super Sports Car League. There was little indication of that earlier in the year. Their new Porsche 911 was delivered just three weeks before official pre-season testing, and regular driver Kévin Estre (27, F) had to miss the first three race weekends due to a clash of dates. In the first six races, Jahn only finished twice in the points with different team-mates and was in a very unpromising 16th place in the standings mid-way through the season in July.

Jahn: "The first half of the season was a little disappointing. We'd expected more. What helped me to improve personally during this period was the data that we collected during practice, qualifying and the race. The engineers can see where we as drivers are losing time and are also able to tweak the set-up and make the car better to drive. I think statistics are important in motor racing, and I can continue to improve with the help of the data, thus gaining confidence in the car." Jahn knows he can depend on the strong team put together by father and son, Bernhard. Sportscar veteran Klaus Graf acts as team manager, while legendary Porsche engineer Roland Kussmaul looks after the Porsche 911 at the racetrack.

Porsche works driver Estre joined the outfit for the fourth race weekend at the Red Bull Ring. By qualifying fourth on the grid, Jahn gave the team their best quali result up until then in Austria. In the race, the driver pairing achieved their maiden win in the ADAC GT Masters. The Franco-German pairing notched up further successes at the Nürburgring and Zandvoort. Having secured 100 points in 29 days, Jahn & Estre had a dream summer and are by far and away the most successful duo of the second half of the season.

Team boss Timo Bernhard tries to find an explanation for the performance boost: "Increasing our involvement in motor racing with the ADAC GT Masters was a fresh challenge for our young team. The first half of the season was very demanding. The new members of staff, new drivers and the new car had to come together as a team, and that doesn't happen overnight. I said in a meeting at the start of the year: Guys, I want to win at least one race. We've long since surpassed that goal. Kevin's motor racing experience is a great asset, while David has surprised a lot of people with his performance and has really come on. A lot of passion and meticulous work have gone into this project, and I'm very proud of the team. We're in a comfortable position for the season finale at Hockenheim, and it would be great to end our debut season in the Top Three."

The finale at Hockenheim will be a home race for Jahn. Born in Speyer, just a few kilometres from Hockenheim, the driver, who has won four ADAC GT Masters races, is now happy to call Leipzig home and works there as an instructor for Porsche. Jahn is ranked third in the drivers' standings in the run-up to the season finale at Hockenheim and is 30 points down on the championship leader. A big challenge? Certainly. Impossible to make up the deficit? No. "If we as a team in Hockenheim can go on being just as focused as we have been so far, then we can continue our winning streak. Of that, I'm certain. There are still 50 points up for grabs. Nothing is impossible. Before the season, my goal would have been to finish in the Top Five or Seven. I'll be extremely pleased to end up third or second overall. Finishing on the championship podium in such a competitive, top-class race series like the ADAC GT Masters is going to look brilliant on my CV."

Fans who want to attend the ADAC GT Masters season finale at Hockenheim in person can buy tickets in advance, starting at just 20 euros, including access to the paddock, at www.adac.de/motorsport.