Having scored its maiden victory on the previous day, HRT adds the next impressive achievement in the third round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS): in the 52nd ADAC Barbarossapreis, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with starting number #16 secured second place. A little bit further down, the #17 Mercedes-AMG GT3 finishes eighth, securing the second top ten result for HAUPT RACING TEAM. The #6 Mercedes-AMG GT3 rounds out the overall score for HRT with eleventh place.
- Another NLS podium result for HAUPT RACING TEAM
- Mercedes-AMG Team HRT (#16): 2nd place
- Mercedes-AMG Team HRT (#17): 8th place
- Mercedes-AMG Team HRT AutoArenA (#6): 11th place
Right away at the start of the race day, the #16 Mercedes-AMG GT3 made a statement: Luca Stolz seamlessly built on his outstanding performance from the previous day and posted a lap time of 7m58.675s, the fastest time of all the 141 cars in the field. While the #16 car secured pole position as a result, the #17 Mercedes-AMG GT3 started from ninth place on the grid, the #6 started from 14th position. The race start was a convincing one: behind the wheel of the #16 entry, Maro Engel successfully withstood all the attempts to overtake by his rivals in the first few corners and held on to his commanding race lead throughout his stint. Hubert Haupt, too, showed a strong performance at the start, making up two positions behind the wheel of the #17 car and moving up into seventh place. The #6 entry, meanwhile, defended its 14th place.
The race came with many position fights, frequent lead changes and varying strategies. As the race unfolded, the outcome was unclear, but the #16 car with Luca Stolz and Manuel Metzger, who followed after starting driver Engel, coped best with the situation. Final driver Adam Christodoulou took over the #16 car in the black-and-orange livery while in the lead, but the Ferrari that was running second made its way past the Briton on the penultimate lap. Eventually, the #16 Mercedes-AMG GT3 was classified second, securing the third podium in as many NLS rounds for HRT. The #17 Mercedes-AMG claimed eighth place and therefore achieved the second top ten result of the afternoon for HRT. The #6 Mercedes-AMG GT3 came home in eleventh position.
The fourth NLS round is the 43rd RCM DMV Grenzlandrennen on 1 August.
Hubert Haupt, team owner, HRT: “A top result! We have competed in three races and got a pair of second places and a first place. That is a dream start for a new team, especially against such opposition. We are absolutely happy.”
Sean Paul Breslin, team principal, HRT: “The second victory really was within reach! Even though it didn’t work out today, I am very happy with the performance of the guys and with the results of the weekend. First place yesterday and second place today, that is an excellent outcome.”
Maro Engel, driver, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #16: “At the end of the day, it is a fantastic weekend, even though we were just beaten at the end today. We have had two very strong races with victory yesterday and pole position and second place today. Many thanks to the entire team. This whets one’s appetite for more!”
Luca Stolz, driver, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #16: “My maiden pole position at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife! It was an entirely clear lap; that really was fun. On my out lap, I already noticed: today, everything is spot-on – the track, the car, the tyres. Of course, not having won today is slightly annoying, but nevertheless, it was a super weekend for us. We can build on this.”
Adam Christodoulou, driver, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #16: “Pole position already was a very good way to start the day. The pit stop strategy paid off, too. Eventually, our opponents were slightly faster today and deserved to win. As a team, we have had a great week. Many thanks to my colleagues and to the team, I am already looking forward to the weeks to come!”
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. In its debut season 2020, the team will be competing with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and in the GT World Challenge Europe. Preparation of the activities and the cars is located in Meuspath near the Nürburgring. Haupt Racing Team GmbH has its headquarters in Grünwald near Munich. Owner of the team is racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt. Next to motorsport, Haupt is particularly known as a successful real estate developer. With his real estate holding, he is turning residential and commercial concepts in the south of Germany into reality, from innovative buildings to entire districts.