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Two races, two water fights: the second race weekend of the season in the ADAC GT Masters was a slippery affair for the drivers in action for “PIXUM Team Schubert” powered by Jochen Schweizer. Heavy rain and strong wind made both races a huge challenge. Claudia Hürtgen (DE) and Dominik Baumann (AT) mastered the conditions superbly in the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3, as did their team-mates Jens Klingmann (DE) and Max Sandritter (DE) in the number 20 car. Both duos finished in the points on Saturday and Sunday. 

The way both cars fought back on Saturday was particularly impressive. A difficult qualifying meant Hürtgen started the race from down in 18th place. However, she coped so well with the rain that she was able to pass one car after another in the opening stages of the race. When she handed the car over to Baumann in the middle of the race, they were baring down on a podium finish. They eventually came home fourth. The duo in the number 19 car finished fifth in Sunday’s second race, which was also dominated by rain. 

Sandritter was actually in line to start Saturday’s race from sixth after an impressive qualifying. However, a technical problem on the car meant he had to start from the very back of the grid. Like Hürtgen, Sandritter set off on a spectacular fightback and had nearly progressed into the points by the time Klingmann took over the driving duties. He was then able to bring the number 20 BMW Z4 GT3 home in seventh place. The duo then matched that result on Sunday. 

Hürtgen and Baumann are fourth with 45 points in the Drivers’ Championship. Klingmann and Sandritter, meanwhile, picked up their first points of the season after an unfortunate opener in Oschersleben (DE). 

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager Schubert Motorsport): “I am very happy with this weekend’s results. In those difficult conditions, to score points with both cars in both races was the most we could hope for. The fightback on Saturday was absolutely fantastic. The BMW Z4 GT3 was as swift as a weasel, and our drivers did a flawless job. Thanks to the dampers provided by our partner KW, we were able to set up both cars superbly for the circuit and conditions. We scored valuable points, but are also well aware that we need to finish on the podium in the future if we are to stick with the front-runners in the championship. Unfortunately it is difficult to stay with Porsche and Audi, who are incredibly quick even with their performance weights.” 

Dominik Baumann (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 19): “The conditions were extreme. We always looked very good when there was not too much water on the track, but as soon as the rain became heavier we had to fight hard. That was particularly the case on Saturday. Claudia was able to make up an awful lot of places when the track was not too wet at the start. All I could do then in heavier rain was defend my position. I am very happy with the points we scored. However, it is tough to compete with Porsche and Audi with the current Balance of Performance.” 

Max Sandritter (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20): “Twice in the points – that is a start. We are not yet where we want to be, but the performance of the car is already good now. I was obviously angry at first to have to start from the pit lane on Saturday, but the fightback was great fun. Some of the duels were really special. The track conditions were much more difficult on Sunday. There was a lot of aquaplaning. That is what caused my spin, but fortunately there were no major consequences.”