The Haupt Racing Team secured the class win in the Silver Cup at the second race in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup. Al Faisal Al Zubair (OMA), Axcil Jefferies (ZIM) and Fabian Schiller (GER) drove the #777 Mercedes-AMG GT3, competing under the banner of Al Manar Racing by HRT, to first place in their class and seventh overall at the “Circuit Paul Ricard 1000Km”. However, the #4 PAUL car just missed out on the class podium: after a great chasing performance, Jannes Fittje (GER), Jordan Love (AUS) and Alain Valente (SUI) finished the 6-hour race in fifth spot in the Silver Cup standings.
In the #5 car by nu concept, Hubert Haupt (GER), Arjun Maini (IND) and Florian Scholze (GER) endured some poor racing luck to follow up their Gold Cup podium at the first race of the season: unfortunate contact with another car on lap one caused steering damage that marked an early end to the race for the #5.
On the previous evening, HRT enjoyed better luck in the 60-minute race in the Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series. Jannes Fittje crossed the line in third place in the Silver Cup standings in his Mercedes-AMG GT3 #4 on the virtual Circuit Paul Ricard, securing three valuable extra points in the team championship for the Haupt Racing Team.
Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, #777 Al Manar Racing by HRT: “The Silver Cup win feels amazing. On a grid with over 50 cars, that is something we can be very proud of. The ball is rolling now and we hope for another class win in Spa.
Axcil Jefferies, #777 Al Manar Racing by HRT: “We had a clean race, everyone of us stayed out of trouble. Credits to the whole team, everybody deserves that win.”
Fabian Schiller, #777 Al Manar Racing by HRT: “We are highly satisfied with the weekend. Strategy, pit stops, the car - it all worked well and gave us the victory in the Silver Cup.“
Hubert Haupt, #5 Haupt Racing Team: “I tried to avoid a rival car and was unable to get any grip. There was some contact and that broke something in the steering.”
Arjun Maini, #5 Haupt Racing Team: “It is very disappointing as we had a good position in the championship before the race. That’s racing, but there are a lot more points to earn and we will recover from today.”
Florian Scholze, #5 Haupt Racing Team: “Of course, it’s a shame for a 6-hour race to be over after turn one. But with so many cars out there, something like that can happen. We are looking ahead.”
Jannes Fittje, #4 Haupt Racing Team: “We had a good starting position, the car was fast and we all drove well. In the end, we can be satisfied with the result. At Spa, we want to do even better and finish on the class podium."
Jordan Love, #4 Haupt Racing Team: “Positive weekend for us. P20 in Qualifying out of 54 cars was not so bad. In the race, we pushed through and the result is quite good for us. It was definitely a step forward for us and we hope to make another one in Spa.”
Alain Valente, #4 Haupt Racing Team: “We showed a good race and worked very well as a team. We can build on that. I am confident for the next race in Spa.“
Sean Paul Breslin, Team Principal HRT: “I am very happy for the #777 car. The #4 made a great comeback. Sadly, our Gold Cup car was out in the first lap, but the whole team was showing a strong performance. Now we go forward to Spa and try to prepare our best for this tough race.
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. Formed in July 2020 by racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt, the team enjoys success in GT3 racing. Among other things, HRT secured the 2021 DTM drivers' championship in just its second motorsport season. HRT lines up with extended works support from Mercedes-AMG in many of the team's outings. The outings and cars are prepared in Meuspath, not far from the Nürburgring. HRT is also involved in professional sim racing and is a sought-after partner for motorsport events of all sorts. HRT can call on a host of experts with a wealth of motorsport and engineering experience, which the diverse motorsport company leverages when implementing technical development projects for and with its partners. The headquarters of Haupt Racing Team GmbH is Grünwald near Munich. The team owner is racing driver and businessman Hubert Haupt. As well as motorsport, Haupt is primarily known as a successful property developer. With his real estate company, he implements high-quality living and building concepts in southern Germany – from innovative buildings to complete districts.
