The season opener of the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS in Imola today did not bring the result HAUPT RACING TEAM has wished for. The #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the colors of AM Solutions finished 15th, the #5 car had to retire early.
- No luck for HAUPT RACING TEAM at the 1st running of the GTWCE
- Mercedes-AMG Team HRT (#4): 15th place
- DNF for HAUPT RACING TEAM (#5)
Starting from 6th position, the #4 AM Solutions Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Maro Engel behind the wheel was pushed wide at the start by a competitor and ended up in the gravel which resulted in losing precious positions right at the beginning. Sister car #5 piloted by HRT team owner Hubert Haupt, who started from P33 on the grid, showed a strong performance at the start, making up four positions immediately and working his way up continually.
But Lady Luck was not with the HRT Team in this very competitive endurance race with a period of 5 FCY and a multitude of penalties for the 46-car strong field. A contact in the first stint resulted in a drive-through penalty for the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the black-and-orange livery shortly after Vincent Abril got into the car after Maro Engel.
Despite all the misfortune both HRT teams showed determination, great team effort and fought their way up. Vincent Abril gaining twelve positions before swapping seats with Luca Stolz who had Top 10 position within reach but was also pushed off track by a competitor and finished 15th overall. Sergei Afanasiev in car number 5 also won a few places before handing the car over to Finlay Hutchison. Unfortunately, Hutchison had to retire shortly after due to technical problems of the #5 Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The second round of the GTWC Europe will take place in Misano on 8 August. But next stop for the HAUPT RACING TEAM is the fourth NLS round on Saturday, 1 August.
Hubert Haupt, team owner HRT / driver HAUPT RACING TEAM #5: “We need to get quicker in qualifying, we did not use our full potential there. The race was actually good, we even managed to lead the Silver Cup for a while until we had to retire due to a technical issue. Nothing you can control with the rough going over the curbs which eventually damaged the under body of our car. Very unfortunate, because I strongly believe that we could have finished Top-3.”
Sean Paul Breslin, team principal HRT: “The team came to Imola and pushed hard to get a result in the first race after the corona virus lockdown. Despite a good qualifying of car #4 and a great start of car #5, the result was not what we wanted. But we go on to the next round and push for a better result.”
Maro Engel, driver, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4: “Initially I had a great start but while braking, however, I had the first contact when a competitor pulled to the right. After a second contact with him, I was pushed off the track. I didn't have a chance. I don't know how it came about and whether the other car was perhaps also squeezed out. In any case, it is very annoying. I lost a lot of places in the first round and even more due to the drive-through penalty during a take-over. This was a stint to forget and definitely one of my worst. I am very sorry for the team that was very well prepared and with an amazing car. We could have had a very good result today.”
Vincent Abril, driver, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4: “It was a bit of an eventful start, we were unlucky. This track is very unforgiving on the outside lanes. But our pace was good, I pushed flat out and enjoyed the drive a lot. We are a new team, we were quick, we were professional, and we were very competitive. I’m happy to be a part of this team and we’ll have a bright future.”
Sergey Afanasiev, driver, HAUPT RACING TEAM #5: “We had the pace, we have a fantastic team and everybody was pushing hard. I believe it could have been a really good race. Right now, I feel emotionally empty, I did everything I could. I’m certain we will be back much stronger soon.”
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. In its debut season 2020, the team will be competing with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and in the GT World Challenge Europe. Preparation of the activities and the cars is located in Meuspath near the Nürburgring. Haupt Racing Team GmbH has its headquarters in Grünwald near Munich. Owner of the team is racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt. Next to motorsport, Haupt is particularly known as a successful real estate developer. With his real estate holding, he is turning residential and commercial concepts in the south of Germany into reality, from innovative buildings to entire districts.
