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13.08.2015 - ADAC GT Masters
Championship leader Luca Ludwig contemplating home race: “I’m living the dream”
Munich: Contemplating his home race at the Nürburgring on the first weekend (14th - 16th August) after the summer break, ADAC GT Masters championship leader Luca Ludwig (26) from Bonn has the reassurance of at least sleeping in his own bed. The son of touring car legend Klaus Ludwig and his Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG co-driver Sebastian Asch (29) from Ammerbuch, Baden-Württemberg, can look back on a fantastic first half to the season. In this interview, the two-time winner in 2015 talks about his home race, the Mercedes duo’s secret of success and the run-in to the end of the season.
As the second half of the season gets underway, you are well clear at the top of the table. No one can plan for such an eventuality, but what expectations did you have going into the season?
Luca Ludwig: “Even before the season began, I was convinced that we were in with a chance of victory. But obviously, you don’t expect results like we’ve had in the first eight races. Now we know what’s possible, we’re intensely motivated to keep it going.”
Your points lead at the top is comfortable, but there are still eight races to go. Is your mind already turning to the title?
“Yes, I always think of titles. Right from the very first race, that was my target. I think all drivers who compete at the top level have this in mind. The successes this season have changed my attitude and given me extra motivation. I’m currently living the dream, and I hope that we can carry on being equally successful.”
You’re partnering Sebastian Asch for the first time this year, and the combination seems to work perfectly. What is the secret of your success?
“We’re simply in total harmony and have the same approach. There is a great sense of togetherness, something I’ve never experienced before. What you see here is not an ego trip but teamwork. That’s what ultimately makes us so strong.”
What was your personal highlight of the season?
“The first race win with Team Zakspeed, Sebastian and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. I’ve had to wait a long time to get back on the top rung of the podium. Our race in the rain at Spa-Francorchamps was great, and in the most recent one at the Lausitzring, everything was just perfect.”
The victory at Spa was the end of a long lean spell in the ADAC GT Masters. Did you ever begin to doubt yourself at times?
“Yes, of course I had doubts. But during this period in my career, the package simply wasn’t working. There are just so many factors, and then it’s one thing on top of another. Now we have a package we can win with. People tend to look at the individual drivers, but ultimately the package has to be right. I’m just glad that I’ve been able to get back to winning ways this year. Maybe the setbacks are an essential part of finding your way back to the top again.”
The Nürburgring is a home fixture for you and for your team, Zakspeed. What are your expectations from racing on your home circuit?
“We were successful there last year, taking our first pole position and narrowly missing out on the win. On past experience, it’s going to be very tight at the Nürburgring, but even so, we’re intending to be somewhere at the front of the field once again. Although we’ve just had a longish summer break and have to find our rhythm again, that shouldn’t take too long.”
There are four ADAC GT Masters weekends still to go. Which do you anticipate will be the most difficult for you?
“The races at the Sachsenring on the last weekend in August certainly won’t be easy. The past few years have shown that other cars are faster there. It depends on multiple factors, but I expect us to be competitive everywhere.”
Who do you regard as your most dangerous opponents in the title fight?
“First and foremost, we’re focusing on ourselves. We’re in a situation where we don’t have to think about others too much. As long as we keep producing the same level of performance as you’ve seen so far, we’re surely going to be hard to beat.”
As the second half of the season gets underway, you are well clear at the top of the table. No one can plan for such an eventuality, but what expectations did you have going into the season?
Luca Ludwig: “Even before the season began, I was convinced that we were in with a chance of victory. But obviously, you don’t expect results like we’ve had in the first eight races. Now we know what’s possible, we’re intensely motivated to keep it going.”
Your points lead at the top is comfortable, but there are still eight races to go. Is your mind already turning to the title?
“Yes, I always think of titles. Right from the very first race, that was my target. I think all drivers who compete at the top level have this in mind. The successes this season have changed my attitude and given me extra motivation. I’m currently living the dream, and I hope that we can carry on being equally successful.”
You’re partnering Sebastian Asch for the first time this year, and the combination seems to work perfectly. What is the secret of your success?
“We’re simply in total harmony and have the same approach. There is a great sense of togetherness, something I’ve never experienced before. What you see here is not an ego trip but teamwork. That’s what ultimately makes us so strong.”
What was your personal highlight of the season?
“The first race win with Team Zakspeed, Sebastian and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. I’ve had to wait a long time to get back on the top rung of the podium. Our race in the rain at Spa-Francorchamps was great, and in the most recent one at the Lausitzring, everything was just perfect.”
The victory at Spa was the end of a long lean spell in the ADAC GT Masters. Did you ever begin to doubt yourself at times?
“Yes, of course I had doubts. But during this period in my career, the package simply wasn’t working. There are just so many factors, and then it’s one thing on top of another. Now we have a package we can win with. People tend to look at the individual drivers, but ultimately the package has to be right. I’m just glad that I’ve been able to get back to winning ways this year. Maybe the setbacks are an essential part of finding your way back to the top again.”
The Nürburgring is a home fixture for you and for your team, Zakspeed. What are your expectations from racing on your home circuit?
“We were successful there last year, taking our first pole position and narrowly missing out on the win. On past experience, it’s going to be very tight at the Nürburgring, but even so, we’re intending to be somewhere at the front of the field once again. Although we’ve just had a longish summer break and have to find our rhythm again, that shouldn’t take too long.”
There are four ADAC GT Masters weekends still to go. Which do you anticipate will be the most difficult for you?
“The races at the Sachsenring on the last weekend in August certainly won’t be easy. The past few years have shown that other cars are faster there. It depends on multiple factors, but I expect us to be competitive everywhere.”
Who do you regard as your most dangerous opponents in the title fight?
“First and foremost, we’re focusing on ourselves. We’re in a situation where we don’t have to think about others too much. As long as we keep producing the same level of performance as you’ve seen so far, we’re surely going to be hard to beat.”
