SPIELBERG, Austria — Local hero Leo Pichler (24) and Colin Bönighausen (21/Isernhagen) won Sunday’s race in the Porsche 911 GT3 R of the Austrian team Razoon – more than Racing.
They crossed the finish line 5.8 seconds ahead of their teammates Mark Kastelic (18/SLO)/Pavel Lefterov (28/BGR), giving their team a perfect day at their home race. Pichler is the first Austrian driver in 15 years to secure an ADAC GT Masters victory on home soil.
“It has always been a big dream of mine to win a race here at the Red Bull Ring. It feels incredible. The whole day was simply perfect with the good starting position and this strong race. The team prepared the cars superbly, and this one-two finish is more than deserved for everyone,” beamed Pichler.
Teammate Bönighausen, competing in his first ever ADAC GT Masters weekend, beamed: “I’m incredibly happy. We were hoping for the win yesterday, but unfortunately luck wasn’t on our side. Today went all the better. Many thanks to the team, the car was fantastic.” Felix Hirsiger (27/CHE) and Finn Zulauf (21/Königstein im Taunus/both Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport) completed the podium.
In 21-degree weather and bright sunshine, Kastelic started the race from pole position and held it until a small mistake. This allowed his teammate Pichler in the second Porsche 911 GT3 R to move into the lead.
From that moment on, Pichler and later his teammate Bönighausen drove to an unchallenged victory. Kastelic and Lefterov were also delighted with the podium finish on their debut ADAC GT Masters weekend and the team’s one-two finish.
“I’m incredibly happy for Razoon. We didn’t deserve the win today, because Leo and Colin were simply the better duo and faster than us,” said Kastelic. “Leo was always right behind me after the start, and even without my mistake in the last corner, I wouldn’t have started a battle and potentially jeopardized the one-two finish. It was my first weekend, and I’ve achieved my first podium, so I’m very happy about that.”
Hirsiger/Zulauf finished third, 7.3 seconds behind the leaders. The previous day’s winners from Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport in their Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 secured the early championship lead with this result, and Zulauf also clinched the weekend’s “Road to DTM” title.
“From our perspective, it was a truly perfect race, as the Porsches were simply out of our reach today,” said a delighted Hirsiger. “We both had to drive at the limit for an hour without making any mistakes to get onto the podium. We’ve achieved all our goals so far, and of course, we don’t intend to relinquish the championship lead.”
Tim Zimmermann (29/Langenargen) and Leyton Fourie (20/ZAF/both FK Performance Motorsport) finished fourth in their BMW M4 GT3 Evo. Behind them were Niklas Kalus (20/Duisburg) and Kiano Blum (18/AUT/both Haupt Racing Team) in their Ford Mustang GT3, and Storm Gjerdrum (16/NOR) and Fabio Rauer (19/Stolberg/both FK Performance Motorsport) in the second BMW.
Their fellow BMW drivers Sandro and Juliano Holzem (21/Polch/both Schubert Motorsport) finished seventh, followed by the newcomers from HGL Racing in their Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2, driven by Robin Rogalski (25/POL) and Simon Connor Primm (21/Großschirna). Max Cuccarese (19/ITA)/Alain Valente (29/CHE/both Haupt Racing Team) finished ninth in their Ford, while Jamie Day (20/GBR)/Baudouin Detout (25/FRA) completed the top 10 in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo of the second debutant team, Comtoyou Racing.
The Pro-Am Cup victory went once again to Ernst Kirchmayr (70/AUT)/Axcil Jefferies (34/ZWE/both Baron Motorsport). The guest starters from Baron Motorsport finished twelfth in their Ferrari 296 GT3.
