Mercedes-AMG Team HRT can look back on two positive days of DTM testing. The Haupt Racing Team demonstrated impressive early form at the Hockenheimring, where it kicked off the pre-season with a promising one-two: on the Wednesday of the test, Maximilian Götz (#4) set the fastest time of the day in difficult weather conditions. He was followed in second place by team-mate Vincent Abril (#5). Götz and Abril were among the front-runners again on Thursday. Over the course of the two days, the Haupt Racing Team completed valuable test kilometres ahead of the coming DTM season, which gets underway in mid-June in Monza and comprises a total of 16 races.
- Valuable DTM tests for Mercedes-AMG Team HRT
- Impressive performances from Maximilian Götz and Vincent Abril
The tests at the Hockenheimring saw HRT enter the crucial stage of preparations ahead of its first season in the DTM. The objective was clear: to get as many kilometres of testing under their belt as possible, in order to be well-prepared with optimal set-ups for the mammoth DTM schedule that awaits them in 2021. Despite cold and wet weather conditions and a snow-induced break in the action, Wednesday showed a positive trend: at the wheel of the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3, Maximilian Götz set the fastest lap of the entire field, with an impressive time of 1:39.590 minutes. Just behind him, Vincent Abril guided the #5 Mercedes-AMG GT3 to second place, making it a one-two in Wednesday’s test.
The two HRT drivers impressed again on Thursday, seamlessly following on where they left off the previous day. Abril set the fastest lap time (1:36.205 minutes) in the first session of the day, followed by Götz in fourth place. The first six positions were all occupied by Mercedes-AMG drivers, with Abril and Götz ending Thursday in second and fifth place overall.
As part of the pre-season preparations, a further two tests are planned at the Lausitzring (4th to 6th May). These will serve as a dress rehearsal, before the long-awaited opening round of this season’s DTM takes place from 18th to 20th June at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.
Maximilian Götz, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4: “We worked through our programme very well on Wednesday and were able to get in quite a few kilometres on the track before the break for snow. As we do not have many tests, every metre really counts, in order to gather and analyse sufficient data. The team did a superb job on both days and the cooperation with the guys worked well. At the Lausitzring, we will try to build on the strong results we have enjoyed this weekend. It feels great to be back in the DTM.”
Vincent Abril, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #5: “That was a really impressive start for us all. We worked through a tight programme of testing, the car felt really good and was brilliantly prepared – no wonder our lap times were so good. The whole team did a very professional job and everything really worked excellently. Long may it continue that way!”
Hubert Haupt, team owner HRT: “The tests were a very promising start. We were 1st and 2nd on Wednesday, and 2nd and 5th on Thursday. That is obviously not yet a definite indication of how we will fare this season. Particularly as I suspect that some manufacturers have kept their cards close to their chests. For HRT, I can tell you that we – just like the other Mercedes-AMG teams – were pushing hard. We were not hiding anything and will continue to work openly for a fair BoP and for our success.”
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. The outings and cars are prepared in Meuspath, not far from the Nürburgring. 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.
