Apothéloz: A young driver as a title contender

This weekend at the Lausitzring and a week later at Oschersleben, the final double races of the 2020 ADAC GT4 Germany will be held. At the top of the standings are the Swiss Julien Apothéloz and the German Luci Trefz in a Mercedes-AMG GT4.

The right decision
Two years ago, the 19-year-old from Zurich won the AutoScout24 Young Driver Challenge powered by Seat with a convincing performance in the ADAC TCR Germany. Last year, Apothéloz did finish on the podium several times in the overall and Junior classifications in Topcar's Cupra TCR. However, he did not see a future in this touring car class - and the present proves him right.

Participation in the German TCR Championship has been steadily declining for two years, but interest in the GT4 category is on the rise. Those who attract attention here are recommended for the GT3 sports cars, the top class in the ADAC GT Masters.

Several teams have programs running in both categories - including HTP Winward Motorsport, for whom the Swiss is driving this year.

Julien Apothéloz: "I'm glad I decided to switch to GT4. I was happy with Topcar, but if you look at the TCR class in Germany, you no longer know whether it will be around for long. Many now see GT4 as a training platform."

You have to prove yourself
His decision could pay off in sporting terms over the next ten days. Apothéloz would be the first overall winner of the Switzerland-wide junior classification, which was won by Oliver Holdener before him and Karen Gaillard (drives 24H Series with Topcar) after him, who thus achieves his international breakthrough.

Julien Apothéloz: "Everything happened very quickly. To be competing for the title in my second full season, and with a new team and car in a different category, is not a matter of course. But if you want to get ahead, you have to prove yourself in this way."

Everything still open
In eight rounds so far there have been six different winners on five makes. In the standings, Apothéloz/Trefz have a 15-point lead over the Austrian KTM duo Janits/Kofler and 16 points over Schrey/Piana in the better of the two BMW M4s from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport. A total of 100 points (4 x 25 for the winners) are still up for grabs - so that's nothing.

Advantage or disadvantage?
Unlike the Red Bull Ring recently, where the leaders only managed a sixth and eighth place, the Lausitzring should suit the Mercedes-AMG in terms of characteristics. In contrast to Spielberg, they also no longer have a time handicap at the pit stop, which is given in each case to all those who finished on the podium in the previous race. It remains to be seen what effect the new sports car classifications (BoP) will have.

After all, Oschersleben isn't necessarily Julien's favorite track then, because he didn't get off to a particularly good start to his first full TCR season there in spring 2019. But he doesn't want to think about that anymore, just look ahead.

The goal before your eyes
Regardless of the outcome, the only Swiss in the field of 40 drivers (two per car) from ten nations finds it great to be in the current situation alone.

Julien Apothéloz: "It was always my goal to fight for the title. As a newcomer to GT4, of course I didn't know where we'd stand. But I would never have thought that things would go so well. We're not thinking too much about the championship, but we don't want to give away any points and we're not risking a retirement. We'll just do our best."

Live on Free TV
Both races in Lausitz will start at sunset, with the finish after one hour with driver changes taking place in darkness in each case. They will be televised live on Sport1 free-to-air from 4.45 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, and from 4.55 p.m. on Sunday, November 1.

Furthermore, they are online in the livestream on sport1.de, adac.de/motorsport and youtube.com/adac to see.

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