ADAC GT Masters title race set for dramatic duel

• Mercedes-AMG and BMW teams battle it out for the ADAC GT Masters title
• Seppänen could become the first driver to successfully defend the title

Munich. Young, wild, and in the race for the ADAC GT Masters title: two teams will battle it out to be crowned 2024 champions at the finale of the ADAC GT Masters season, which takes place at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg from 18th to 20th October. Mercedes-AMG against BMW, Landgraf Motorsport against FK Performance, Tom Kalender (Hamm/Sieg) and Elias Seppänen (FIN/both Landgraf Motorsport) against Maxime Oosten (NL) and Leon Köhler (Erlenbach am Main). 29 points separate the title contenders, with a maximum 56 still up for grabs in the final two races. Sport1 will broadcast both the deciding races live from the finale.

Match point for Seppänen and Kalender
Seppänen and Kalender have been sitting pretty at the top of the ADAC GT Masters table since their first victory in race two of the season at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. They have consistently picked up points all season, winning four races in the process. The Mercedes-AMG duo took another big step towards the title at the penultimate event of the season at the Red Bull Ring, where they finished third on the Saturday before taking victory in the Sunday race. The German/Finnish pairing have been particularly strong in qualifying. In the ten races so far, they have started from the front row on eight occasions, securing pole position on three. 21-year-old Seppänen is confident ahead of the big showdown at the Motodrom near Mannheim: “We have a very comfortable lead and the track suits the Mercedes-AMG GT3. I have great memories of Hockenheim from last year, so am very optimistic I can win the title again.” Were he to do so, the Finn would make history: no driver has successfully defended the title since the ADAC GT Masters was held for the first time in 2007.

Oosten and Köhler draw on fighting spirit
Oosten and Köhler made the perfect start to the season, with victory in Oschersleben. However, Kalender and Seppänen replaced them at the top of the table as soon as race two. The BMW duo has remained within striking distance at all times, and has picked up three victories over the course of the year. One of their particular strengths is their fighting spirit, which was clear for all to see in the Saturday race in Zandvoort. A technical fault in qualifying meant they were forced to start the race from the back of the grid. However, they recovered superbly to cross the finish line in fifth place. In the ten races so far, Oosten and Köhler have made up a total of 36 places compared to their grid positions. 25-year-old Köhler is in combative mood ahead of the showdown: “We are obviously the underdogs at the moment, but I am not coming to Hockenheim to lose. I am still very motivated and believe we can succeed. As long as there is still a chance, we will do everything in our power to win. Our team has been working extremely hard all season to ensure we are out in front.”

Excitement in the Road to DTM
Seppänen and Oosten are also the only remaining drivers still in contention in the “Road to DTM” competition, which was introduced this year. Whoever wins the title in this new junior championship will be rewarded with financial support for the 2025 DTM season, in the form of the entry fee. There may be 30 points separating the two rivals, but the Dutchman is determined not to allow the Finn to get his hands on the title without a fight.