PODIUM SUCCESS FOR HRT AFTER DOUBLE SHIFT IN DTM AND INTERNATIONAL GT OPEN

REVIEW | 20 June, 2022 |

Haupt Racing Team was in action in two racing series at the weekend: While Luca Stolz (GER) and Arjun Maini (IND) went in pursuit of points at round three of the DTM at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Frank Bird (GBR) and Jordan Love (AUS) enjoyed a successful guest start in the International GT Open at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps.

  • International GT Open: Second place for Haupt Racing Team in Spa
  • DTM: Mercedes-AMG Team HRT leaves Imola empty-handed for the first time

International GT Open: Podium for Haupt Racing Team at series debut

Haupt Racing Team made its first appearance at an event in the International GT Open at the weekend. Frank Bird (GBR) and Jordan Love (AUS) were at the wheel of the #4 BILSTEIN Mercedes-AMG GT3 and started in the PRO class for the 2:20-hour race at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – and finished an outstanding second.

The two drivers qualified in P6 on Saturday to secure a good grid position for the following day. The race itself was shaped by several lengthy safety car phases, which repeatedly brought the field back together and produced a lot of action and battles for position around the 7.004-kilometre track. Running third as the race entered its final third, Bird and Love were embroiled in a thrilling three-way battle for several laps with the two cars ahead of them. Eventually, the two HRT drivers finished an impressive second, less than five seconds behind the winners. Ultimately, only the fact that all guest starters in the GT Open are required to spend an extra ten seconds stationary during the second pit stop prevented Haupt Racing Team from taking the overall victory. 

Frank Bird, #4 Haupt Racing Team: "Good International GT Open debut for Jordan, myself and the whole HRT team. Thanks to my teammate, hopefully we will be racing again soon."

Jordan Love, #4 Haupt Racing Team: "Many thanks to Frank and the team. I had a lot of fun over the weekend. Racing in a different series is very valuable. It's a bit of a shame we finished in P2, but I am happy."

Sean Paul Breslin, HRT Team Principal: "Strong result for the team in the first race of the GT Open. The crew worked very hard, we had a good strategy and the drivers made a fantastic job to bring the car home safely. Overall, a very enjoyable weekend in Spa."

DTM: No points for Mercedes-AMG Team HRT in Imola

After two podium results in the first two events of the 2022 DTM season, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT came away empty-handed from the third race weekend at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.

The circuit in northern Italy was hosting the DTM for the first time in the long history of the series, and Luca Stolz (GER) crossed the finish line eleventh – as the second best Mercedes-AMG driver - on Saturday in the blue and yellow #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 of technology partner BILSTEIN. His team-mate Arjun Maini (IND) in the #36 PAUL car was the third Mercedes-AMG GT3 home in 16th place. Stolz and Mini finished P12 and P18 in the Sunday race.

After six of this season’s 16 races, Stolz currently lies eighth, with Maini 17th. The next DTM race weekend takes place from 1st to 3rd July at the Norisring in Nuremberg – the venue at which Mercedes-AMG Team HRT celebrated Maximilian Götz’s title win in last year’s Drivers’ Championship.

Arjun Maini, #36 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: "It was quite a difficult weekend for me. The pace was strong in both races, but I had to start at the back. Our strategy was OK, but unfortunately didn't pay out in the end."

Luca Stolz, #4 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: “Not a good weekend for the team. The car was ok, but we did not really have any chance of finishing higher up the field. Not scoring any points obviously hurts, as the team has done a great job.”

Ulrich Fritz, Managing Director of Haupt Racing Team GmbH: “The weekend was a tough one for us in many ways. We were then missing that bit of luck you need in Sunday’s race. We were involved in a lot of battles for position and were unfortunately unable to get either of our GT3s into the points. We will put our heads together and consider what we can improve for the coming races.”

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.

MEDIA

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Sean-Paul Breslin

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Luca Stolz

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Arjun Maini

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Jordan Love

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Ulrich Fritz

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Frank Bird

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