Debut for ex-Formula 1 driver Alguersuari at the Lausitzring

• First race for Alguersuari in ROWE RACING’s Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
• Zandvoort double winner van Lagen with new team-mate in the Porsche
• Strong BMW and Corvette teams looking to secure first wins of season

The ADAC GT Masters began the season with some exciting and spectacular racing. On the third race weekend of the season at the Lausitzring (May 23rd-25th) attention will be focused on a recent addition to the series: Ex-Formula 1 driver Jaime Alguersuari (24) from Spain will make his ADAC GT Masters debut at the Lausitzring (live on kabel eins on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11:45 am). Contesting his first event since his last race three years ago in Formula 1, the Spaniard will be at the wheel of ROWE RACING’s Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, partnered by Nico Bastian (24, Germany), who is also making his ADAC GT Masters debut.

Formidable drivers in Mercedes gullwings at the Lausitzring

Alguersuari is not the only ex-Formula 1 driver making his acquaintance with a gullwing Mercedes in the ADAC GT Masters. Formula 1 championship runner-up Heinz-Harald Frentzen (47, Neuss / HTP Motorsport), who lines up with young talent Luca Stolz (18, Brachbach) in a similar 550-bhp super sportscar, achieved a degree of success previously at the season opener in Oschersleben. The other Mercedes-Benz cars in the field also some have formidable pairings in their cockpits – ex-DTM driver Maro Engel (28, Munich / ROWE RACING) and local driver Jan Seyffarth (27, Querfurt), the two winners from Oschersleben Maximilian Buhk (21, Dassendorf / HTP Motorsport)/Maximilian Götz (28, Uffenheim) and Luca Ludwig (25, Bonn / BKK MOBIL OIL Zakspeed)/Alon Day (22, Israel).

Jaap van Lagen (37, Netherlands / GW IT Racing Team // Schütz Motorsport) in the Porsche 911 and young talent Kelvin van der Linde (17, South Africa / Prosperia C Abt Racing) in the Audi R8, who currently top the standings, have put their stamp on the first four races of the season. Both are newcomers to the ADAC GT Masters and have secured four podiums in four races, while van Lagen leads the rankings after his brace of wins in Zandvoort. The Dutchman gets a new speedy team-mate at the Lausitzring, and van Lagen is aiming to secure more points with last year’s Lausitzring winner, Martin Ragginger (26, Austria). “The Lausitzring is a good track for the Porsche, as we saw last year,” said van Lagen, full of optimism. Robert Renauer (29, Jedenhofen / TONINO Team Herberth) won last year with Ragginger and also hopes to profit from his rock solid 911 at the demanding track to secure the Porsche’s maiden podium, along with Norbert Siedler (31, Austria).

Van der Linde aims to continue impressive debut

17-year-old van der Linde’s debut has been quite remarkable. Four podiums in the first four races together with René Rast (27, Frankfurt), including a win and one pole position – it’s been a long time since a junior driver in his debut season made such a strong start in the ADAC GT Masters. The Lausitzring is new to van der Linde: “I learned the track in Zandvoort quickly, so the Lausitzring shouldn’t be a problem. However, the circuit may not quite suit our Audi as much as the other tracks. Points at the weekend are paramount.”

After victories by Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche in the first four races, Corvette and BMW are also looking to achieve their first win of the season. Title holder Daniel Keilwitz (24, Villingen / Callaway Competition), who won at the Lausitzring on his way to the title last year will again partner sports car star Oliver Gavin (41 Great Britain).

PIXUM Team Schubert intend to secure the BMW’s first win at the Lausitzring. Last year, Claudia Hürtgen (42, Aachen) and Dominik Baumann (21, Austria) just missed victory by a whisker to finish second in both races over the shortest track on the ADAC GT Master calendar.

Who can beat Herbert Handlos in the Gentlemen class?

The Gentlemen category has so far been dominated by newcomer Herbert Handlos (31, Austria / TONINO Team Herberth). The Austrian has achieved three wins on the trot in the Porsche 911 with Alfred Renauer (29, Munich). Dominic Jöst (35, Absteinach / TONINO Team Herberth) and Leipzig-based Florian Scholze (41) in a Porsche 911 hope to achieve their first victory in class at the Lausitzring. After a tough weekend in Zandvoort, the longest-serving driver in the series Toni Seiler (56, Switzerland / Callaway Competition), also intends to go back on the offensive in his Corvette along with Jeroen Bleekemolen (32, Netherlands). The Lausitzring has been good for Seiler previously in the past, as the veteran driver has already secured two victories overall there.