ADAC GT Masters: Invasion of the Swiss
WITH TITLE OPPORTUNITIES Several Swiss announced their GT plans in February. There is strong participation in the ADAC GT Masters, where Patric Niederhauser is returning, for example. For 2019, Auto Sport Schweiz is inviting entries for the first time for an ASS TCR Swiss Trophy as part of the ADAC TCR Germany. Actually, the association could also create a separate classification for the ADAC [...]
For 2019, Auto Sport Schweiz will for the first time announce an ASS TCR Swiss Trophy as part of the ADAC TCR Germany. Actually, the association could also announce a separate classification for the Swiss involved in the ADAC GT Masters. Several are even eligible for top spots in the championship.
Return of Patric Niederhauser
Patric Niederhauser, for example, returns to the international German series after a GT3 season in Asia (three wins and third in the standings). The driver from Bern shares an Audi R8 LMS with South African Kelvin van der Linde, the 2014 champion, and their targets are correspondingly high.
Patric Niederhauser: "The package looks promising. Kelvin is an incredibly talented driver and I also know what I'm capable of. HCB-Rutronik Racing may be a new team in the ADAC GT Masters, but they know exactly what it takes to be well positioned in such a strong field of drivers. With the Audi R8 LMS, we've got a fantastic car with which we should be able to compete for top positions in every race."
Niederhauser's involvement in the GT4 European Masters with a factory KTM X-Bow will therefore not change.
Ricardo Feller in the ex-champion team
After his good first appearance with Land Motorsport at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the signing of Ricardo Feller for the ADAC GT Masters is no longer a surprise. The 18-year-old from Aargau will be joined by the also very fast young Audi factory driver Dries Vanthoor (B).
In 2016, the country won the title at the first attempt in its debut year. The German team plans to repeat this feat in 2019 after "only" finishing runner-up last year. If not with Feller/Vanthoor, then with the second Audi with Christopher Mies (D) and Max Hofer (A).
Philip Ellis under the Swiss flag for the first time
Hofer drove Audi with Philip Ellis at Phoenix Racing in 2018. They surprisingly won the season opener at Oschersleben. For 2019, the Swiss by choice, who lives in Baar, is switching to HTP Motorsport on a Mercedes-AMG. And not only that: Ellis has lived in the canton of Zug since childhood, speaks perfect Swiss German and won the LO Formula Lista Junior as a Brit in 2011. Now he is appearing in motorsport as a Swiss for the first time.
Philip Ellis: "It was about time... It's well known by now that I have British-German roots through my parents, and I've also spent my whole life in Switzerland. So it was obvious to finally start under the Swiss flag."
Ellis' team partner is Fabian Vettel, the younger brother of the four-time Formula 1 world champion. So the newly formed duo is sure to attract special media attention.
New arrival Hugo de Sadeleer, departure of Rahel Frey
Finally, one newcomer is Hugo de Sadeleer. As mentioned at the beginning of the week in connection with his signing with R-Motorsport in the Blancpain GT Series, the 21-year-old from Lausanne will be driving for PROsport Performance. The Nürburgring-based team is the official race partner of Aston Martin Racing (AMR) and fields two new Vantage GT3s. The second car is shared by works driver Maxime Martin (B) and record winner Daniel Keilwitz (D).
Other Swiss drivers who will remain in the ADAC GT Masters are Jeffrey Schmidt (still driving a Mücke Motorsport Audi), Rolf Ineichen (Grasser-Lamborghini) and probably Remo Lips. Nothing is known yet about the season plans of Nikolaj Rogivue and Giorgio Maggi. Rahel Frey will no longer be racing in the ADAC GT Masters but for Audi customer racing in Asia.
