Paddock radar from Hockenheimring

• Ex-national footballer, Gerald Asamoah, says thanks for supporting his Foundation
• Thrilling races in ADAC GT Masters Esports championship
• Celebrity chef Johann Lafer gives start signal for second race

Football stars in paddock: Former Schalke striker and DFB player, Gerald Asamoah, visited Callaway Competition's garage on Saturday. Along with Leipzig-based sponsor 'Sportwagen Club eV', the outfit supports the Foundation set up by the ex-professional footballer to target aid specifically at projects that make life as easy as possible for children suffering from heart disease. The Foundation's logo graced the bonnet of the Corvette C7 GT3-R driven by Marvin Kirchhöfer (25, CH) and Markus Pommer (28, GER). Visiting Hockenheim for the first time, Asamoah was greatly inspired by the atmosphere: "I've got enormous respect for what racing drivers do, and I particularly wanted to stop by to say thank you for supporting my Foundation." Asamoah even held up the 'Gentlemen, start your engines' sign sponsored by series partner Camp David at the start. Schalke's former star was joined by other footballing greats in the paddock, including goalkeeper, Heinz Müller, who was last signed to Bundesliga 1. FSV Mainz 05, plus former Bayern and BVB ace, Michael Rummenigge, who congratulated the winners on the podium after Sunday's race.

Formula 1 world champion at ADAC: While Hockenheim was busy hosting the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC was also present at the IAA in Frankfurt. On Wednesday of this week, a famous person was at the ADAC's stand. 2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg was there to raise awareness of the worldwide FIA #3500LIVES campaign which is also being supported by the ADAC. The campaign focuses on traffic safety under the slogan 'Never drink and drive!' The ADAC is also drawing attention to the issue of sustainability on its stand along with the Best Water Technology Group (BWT). BWT purify water locally, thereby reducing the need for transportation which produces a lot of CO2. The BWT magnesium-mineralized water is available for free at the ADAC's stand. ADAC members can also get premium-grade, BWT reusable drinking bottles. The IAA runs until 22nd September.

Other sporting greats stop by: Newly crowned German shot putter, Simon Bayer, was invited to come along to the Hockenheimring by ADAC GT Masters partner, herrenausstatter.de. Former cycling star, Erik Zabel, was also there as a guest. Like Bayer, he also presented trophies at the awards ceremony on behalf of the ADAC GT Masters. This was Zabel's first visit to a racetrack: "I've never been to a motor racing event before. I was especially moved by the displays of emotion from drivers, teams, and of course, from fans." Wearing a Zakspeed BKK Mobil Oil Racing polo shirt Zabel cheered on the Mercedes-AMG team based in Niederzissen to the south of Bonn.

Top chef at Hockenheimring: Michelin-star chef, Johann Lafer, who opened his new restaurant "Johanns" at Stromburg in the Rhineland-Palatinate only a few months ago, stopped by with his son Jonathan on Sunday to watch the ADAC GT Masters race. On Lafer's 'Gentlemen, start your engines' command, more than 17,000 bhp of supercar power roared into life.

Next round for sim racers: The third of four live events in the ADAC GT Masters Esports championship was held in several garages at the Hockenheimring on Saturday evening and proved to be really thrilling. Julian Kunze (Euronics Gaming) won the 40-minute race from Alexandre Vromant and team-mate Bence Bánki (both SDL eSports by Logitech G) by just 1.4 seconds. Iron Force Team Principal Jan-Erik Slooten congratulated the winners and presented the awards. The final two rounds in the ADAC GT Masters Esports championship will be staged at the Sachsenring in a fortnight's time.

Successful partnerships: The traditional ADAC partners workshop at Hockenheim was very popular once again. Representatives from the series partners were given a preview of the 2020 season. Various options regarding how to get involved and the new ADAC GT Masters Esports Championship were also presented. A special highlight here - participants were allowed to try out the simulators for the digital racing series.

Renauer in national team: Great honour for Alfred Renauer, Team Principal at Precote Herberth Motorsport. The twin brother of last year's ADAC GT Masters champion, Robert Renauer, will compete for the German national team this autumn at Vallelunga in the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games. Aided by Steffen Görig, Renauer will fight for medals for the German team in three one-hour races, driving a Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Exclusive car park: ADAC GT Masters series partner herrenausstatter.de offered its guests a very special service this weekend, setting up an exclusive supercar car park in the middle of the paddock. Fans were really thrilled to see a host of Porsches, McLarens, Corvettes, Lamborghinis and other supercars all neatly lined up.