Paddock talk: ADAC GT Masters season opener

• Ralf Schumacher at ADAC Masters Weekend
• Launch of ADAC GT Masters Lounge
• ADAC Masters Weekend Magazine features on kabel eins
• Race Consultant in action for first time

High-profile fan: DTM driver Ralf Schumacher attended the season opener of the ADAC Masters Weekend at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. The former Formula 1 driver wished wife Cora Schumacher good luck for her two races in the MINI Trophy and also shared the excitement of the Mücke Motorsport junior drivers racing in the Formel ADAC. In addition, he of course cheered on his team-mates driving the eight Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG contesting the ADAC GT Masters. The Mercedes Benz DTM driver learned his racing driving skills in ADAC’s Formel School and began his career in Formel BMW ADAC. On Saturday, Schumacher was delighted to present the trophies to the most successful junior drivers after the first Formel ADAC race of the season.

ADAC GT Masters Lounge opens for first time: ADAC inaugurates ADAC GT Masters lounge for 2012 season. At future ADAC Masters Weekends, drivers and team leaders can meet to chat and air their views in comfortable surroundings.

Photographers work without a break: New manufacturers, drivers and teams, and more than 40 super sports cars meant that photographers were hard at work during the ADAC GT Masters season opener. After a group picture featuring super sports cars from all 13 manufacturers contesting the ADAC GT Masters, all 82 drivers met on Sunday morning to be photographed.

Pit Walk: The return of the Pit Walk was widely applauded by fans at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. On Saturday and Sunday, before the ADAC GT Masters races got underway, spectators were able to stroll along the pit lane, admire the ADAC GT Masters racing cars and take a peek behind the scenes of the League of Super Sports Cars.

Race Consultant: In Formula 1, having a ‘race consultant’ to support the race management has now become standard practice. This weekend was the first that a racing driver was hired in the role for the ADAC GT Masters and the Formel ADAC. Professional racer Patrick Hirsch, who competed in last year’s FIA GT3 European Championship, acted as consultant to the stewards on this occasion.

ADAC Masters Weekend Magazin on kabel eins: The ADAC Masters Weekend Magazin featuring highlights from the ADAC Masters Weekend is to be broadcast by German commercial TV channel kabel eins this season. Billed as ‘ran racing ADAC Masters Weekend Magazin’, the first review of the season showing action from Motorsport Arena Oschersleben goes out on 2nd April at 2.20am with a repeat broadcast on 4th April at 1.00am.

ADAC Masters Weekend Magazin on SPORT1: Spectacular TV footage from the ADAC Masters Weekend SPORT1 will be broadcast by TV station SPORT1. The popular ADAC Masters Weekend Magazin featuring highlights from the season opener at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben goes out on 7th April at 9.45am.

Meet the Drivers: This great opportunity for autograph hunters is also scheduled for the 2012 season. Each Saturday evening, the winners of the ADAC GT Masters will be up on the podium to answer fan’s questions and will also be happy to sign autographs