The 24 Hours of Dubai (14th to 16th January) sees HRT kick off the 2021 motorsport season with one of the highlights on the race calendar. The team from Meuspath lines up with two Mercedes-AMG GT3s at the season-opening event. Racing in the GT3 Pro class is the number 4 car, which will race under the name HRT Bilstein. Decked out entirely in Bilstein’s blue and yellow, the car represents the continuation of the partnership between the Haupt Racing Team and Bilstein, which was also visible at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. The number 5 car of HRT Abu Dhabi Racing will fight for honour in the GT3-Am class.
- Haupt Racing Team with two Mercedes-AMG GT3s at the 2021 24H Dubai
- HRT and Bilstein continue partnership at season-opener in Dubai
- HRT Bilstein (#4) in Bilstein livery
- HRT Abu Dhabi Racing (#5) in brilliant red
Following the endurance classics at the Nürburgring and at Spa-Francorchamps, the Haupt Racing Team is now set to tackle the third 24-hour race of its young history at the Dubai Autodrome Circuit. Although this is the first race in the desert state for the HRT team, the key protagonists already boast a mightily impressive record in Dubai: both team owner Hubert Haupt and Khaled Al Qubaisi have won the Hankook 24H Dubai as drivers on three occasions, including once together at the 2020 event while the team in their previous incarnation can point to five overall victories (2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020).
The squad of drivers lining up for HRT in the two Mercedes-AMG GT3s is full of quality: at the wheel of the #4 car, Hubert Haupt will be ably assisted by Maro Engel, Patrick Assenheimer, Khaled Al Qubaisi and Ryan Ratcliffe. Sharing the driving duties in the #5 car will be Florian Scholze, Valentin Pierburg and Nico Bastian, as well as Assenheimer and Al Qubaisi, who are eligible to drive both cars.
As part of the extended partnership with Bilstein, the number 4 car in Dubai will sport the colours of the undercarriage expert. Having already claimed a top-ten finish in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with the Bilstein-branded Mercedes-AMG GT3, the goal is to take the next step at the Dubai Autodrome Circuit in mid-January.
Hubert Haupt, HRT team owner, and driver for HRT Bilstein #4: “Returning to the Hankook 24H Dubai as last year’s winners obviously brings back some fond memories. Last season was a chaotic, rain-dominated race. However, my team-mates and I dealt really well with the situation and had the race under control when it was suspended after seven hours. It feels fantastic to be lining up with my own team one year later, but that also comes with high expectations: we want to achieve top results with both cars and to make the best possible start to our second motorsport year with our partner Bilstein. For the sake of all the teams, drivers and fans, I hope that we have stable weather conditions and 24 hours packed with racing action.”
Patrick Assenheimer, driver for HRT Bilstein #4 and HRT Abu Dhabi Racing #5: "The 24H Dubai is an absolute highlight on the motorsport calendar right at the start of the season and I am highly motivated to fight for top positions with HRT. We will be competing with two strong cars and will be very well prepared for the season opener. To start on both cars is an honour and a challenge at the same time - I'm really looking forward to it!"
Sean Paul Breslin, team principal HRT: “I am looking forward to the 24-hour race in Dubai and to have Bilstein support at this event, alongside our fantastic line up in the GT3-AM class. The race in Dubai always features a strong field, making the race an ideal indicator of your own performance. We know our strengths and – as in Spa and at the Nürburgring – we travel with an experienced line-up and well-practiced crew. The race in Dubai means a lot to me, personally: I have taken part either as driver or manager at every event since 2007 – I would obviously have nothing against a first 24h victory for HRT.”
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.
