Oschersleben. Successful start to the 2017 ADAC GT Masters
season: at the curtain raiser in Oschersleben (GER), BMW works
driver Philipp Eng (AUT) and BMW Motorsport Junior Ricky Collard
(GBR) won the second race on Sunday in the BMW M6 GT3 of BMW Team
Schnitzer. The squad headed by team principal Charly Lamm (GER)
completed its first ever outing in the ADAC GT Masters, while it was
the first race weekend in a GT3 car for 20-year old Collard.
Eng and Collard had stepped onto the podium after race one on
Saturday, when they had finished third of the juniors’ classification
for drivers up to age 25. In the overall classification, they were
tenth. On Saturday, Collard had driven in qualifying and on the
opening stint before Eng took over in the cockpit of the BMW M6 GT3.
In the second qualifying on Sunday morning, Eng secured pole position
for heat number two. He competed first with Collard taking over for
the second part of the race. At the start, the Austrian defended his
position at the very front. He also benefitted from the fact that the
team had saved one set of tyres from free practice. As such, Eng could
make good use of the potential of new rubber. The race turned out to
be an exciting affair, as a total of three safety car periods bunched
the field together again and again. Eng and Collard defended their
lead at all re-starts and after one hour, Collard brought the BMW M6
GT3 home in first position.
The second round of the 2017 ADAC GT Masters will be held
from19th to 21st May as a part of the
“Motorsport Festival” at the Lausitzring (GER).
Quotes after Sunday’s race of the ADAC GT Masters in Oschersleben.
Charly Lamm, Team Principal: “Obviously, I am very
happy, as this was only our first race weekend in the ADAC GT Masters
and we are still new in this series. Philipp and Ricky drove a perfect
race. Philipp’s start was impeccable, he was able to defend the lead
during the first half of the race in a governing way. After the driver
change, Ricky needed very strong nerves due to the Safety Car periods.
He more than succeeded in doing so and delivered a perfect performance
despite the high pressure. The entire team did a fantastic job. I am
very proud of my team. Now we can look forward to the next race
weekend at the Lausitzring with confidence.”
Philipp Eng: “I am really proud of every one here in
the team and back home in Munich. The car was just a dream to drive
today. Qualifying in the morning went well for us, and we could
prepare for the race with a decent amount of confidence. In the race
itself, we put everything on one card and took a slightly more risky
direction with the set-up and it was the right decision. The pit stop
was perfect, then Ricky took over the cockpit. He did a brilliant job,
also during the re-starts after the safety car periods. I definitely
knew that he can handle it but I did not expect that we would be able
to take the win today. With regards to his young age, I have absolute
respect for this performance. Me personally, I am just really happy
for us and the team. I now hope to celebrate many more wins and
podiums together with them.”
Ricky Collard: “I am over the moon. The entire BMW
Team Schnitzer, Charly and my team-mate Philipp – we got together to
be a really closely knit unit. And if you are such a great bunch, the
results come of course. I can’t thank BMW and BMW Team Schnitzer
enough for the opportunity. And I also want to thank Philipp: he is a
really good trainer for me and he has taught me so much this weekend.
The race was anything but easy. When the Safety Car came out, the
pressure was really on but I withstood it and delivered. These are the
moments when all the training, the work in the simulator and the
preparation pay off. When I crossed the line, I was just screaming and
shouting as it was such an incredible feeling.”