Disappointing start to the season for HRT in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup: An impressive fightback saw Mercedes-AMG Team HRT (#4) lead the high-quality GT3 field at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, before a puncture dashed any hopes of a top result. In the end, the team had to settle for 13th place. The number 5 car fought hard and was on course for a podium finish in the Silver Cup, but eventually had to settle for 22nd place overall and 11th place in its class.
- 13th place for Mercedes-AMG Team HRT (#4)
- 22nd place for Haupt Racing Team (#5)
- Difficult opener for HRT in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
Vincent Abril, Maro Engel and Luca Stolz secured ninth place with the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Sunday’s one-hour qualifying. The number 5 car, with team owner Hubert Haupt, Patrick Assenheimer and Ricardo Sanchez at the wheel, took eleventh place in the Silver Cup class in the combined qualifying at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The two cars had very contrasting starts to the three-hour race, which formed the opening round of the Endurance Cup: while team owner Hubert Haupt climbed an impressive ten positions at the wheel of the number five car, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT (#4) fell back through the field a few positions. However, start driver Engel wasted little time in hitting back and pulled off a number of overtaking manoeuvres – the start of a spectacular fightback. By the time it started to rain heavily and race control issued a Full Course Yellow period after a crash, Engel and Haupt had already worked their way into the leading group in their classes. When the race restarted, Engel guided the number four into second place overall. Haupt had by this point moved into fourth place in the Silver Cup having gained over twenty places in the field of 42.
Their colleagues continued the impressive performances in a rainy Monza. Stolz, who took over from Engel, led the race for several laps, while Assenheimer climbed into the top three of the Silver Cup in the number five car. Then came the shock: leading at the time, the number four plummeted back down the standings following a puncture. Vincent Abril again put the cars in front of him under pressure and eventually crossed the finish line in 13th place in the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3. Ricardo Sanchez came home in 22nd place in the number five car, which meant 11th place in the Silver Cup.
The second round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup takes place on 30th May at Circuit Paul Ricard. However, the next race on HRT’s calendar is a home event: the legendary “Green Hell” hosts round three of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) on 1st May.
Hubert Haupt, team owner HRT and driver Haupt Racing Team #5: “My start went very well and I immediately overtook a few cars in front of me. From 35th to 12th place, that was great fun. We had good pace after that too, and more than showed our potential throughout the entire race. The puncture for our other car is frustrating. We could definitely have got more out of today.”
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4: “I made a mistake at the start, which meant I lost a few places. However, the car was great after that and I was able to make up some places relatively quickly. The puncture is obviously extremely frustrating – that definitely cost us the lead and a top result. I’d like to thank the whole team for doing a great job!”
Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4: “Maro took us into the leading group and I was able to open up a lead. The car was running superbly. Then came the puncture, which is obviously a great shame. Despite that, we know that the pace is there – that is positive. We will push hard again next time.”
Vincent Abril, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4: “We fought hard today and were looking really good. However, we suffered a bitter set-back with the puncture. But that’s motorsport. I am already looking forward to the next round!”
Patrick Assenheimer, Haupt Racing Team #5: “The conditions were really tough today, but we fought superbly and made progress one position at a time. I am happy with my stint and the team did a very good job too.”
Ricardo Sanchez, Haupt Racing Team #5: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the HRT team. The crew did a superb job and my team-mates performed strongly in difficult conditions. We will be aiming high in the next race at Circuit Paul Ricard!”
Sean Paul Breslin, team principal HRT: “It was a very chaotic race. We were on track for excellent results and to challenge at the very front of the field with both the Pro car and the Silver Cup car. However, we were unlucky and the puncture hit us hard. We must now turn our focus to the next races.”
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.
