Ten Audi R8 LMS in ADAC GT Masters

Since 2009, teams in the ADAC GT Masters have been relying on Audi’s GT3 sports cars, but never before has the R8 LMS been as popular as this year. “We look forward to welcoming three new teams – Aust Motorsport, Car Collection Motorsport and Montaplast by Land-Motorsport – in our circle of customers,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. The squads of APR Motorsport, Phoenix Racing and Yaco Racing have been relying on the GT3 sports car made by Audi for many years.

The Audi Sport customer racing teams are preparing for a tough battle. On seven race weekends in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, the GT3 sports cars from eight marques will be pitted against each other. “That so many drivers have opted for Audi in this environment is a tremendous demonstration of confidence and a compliment paid to our Audi R8 LMS race car,” Reinke says. At each event on Saturday and Sunday, there will be a race with a mandatory driver change. Sport1 will be broadcasting all the competitions live on television.

In terms of drivers, the teams feature versatility. Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, who has been promoted from the Audi Sport TT Cup, will be meeting with seasoned GT3 drivers such as Markus Winkelhock, Marc Basseng, Christopher Mies, Laurens Vanthoor, Edward Sandström, her teammate Marco Bonanomi or Christopher Haase, all of whom have won 24-hour races before in the Audi R8 LMS. Audi’s ranks include two former ADAC GT Masters Champions as well, Haase and Kelvin van der Linde. Drivers who have switched from other racing series such as Isaac Tutumlu Lopez or Connor De Phillippi complement the line-up together with other privateer drivers. In addition to Åhlin-Kottulinsky, another female driver is on board – Rahel Frey is contesting the ADAC GT Masters with Audi for the fourth time in succession. The Swiss won at last year’s finale together with her teammate Philip Geipel and is once more forming a team with him.