SPORTSCAR

Mission Title Defence is ramping up. After finishing as runners-up on Saturday, the Audi R8 LMS pairing of Patric Niederhauser (28, CH) and Kelvin van der Linde (24, ZA, both Rutronik Racing) chalked up their first victory of the season in Race 2 at Hockenheim. Last year’s champions now lead the drivers’ standings for the first time this year. They were followed across the finish line by two other Audis: Max Hofer (21, AUT) and Christopher Haase (32, GER, both Montaplast by Land Motorsport) took second place ahead of Rolf Ineichen (42, CH) and Mirko Bortolotti (30, ITA, both Team WRT) in third. “A mega race and a mega weekend,” was winner Kelvin van der Linde’s happy verdict. “Hockenheim is really starting to become one of my favourite circuits. In the past three years I have won each of the Sunday races here – once with my brother Sheldon and now twice with Patric.”

Christian Engelhart (33, GER) and Michael Ammermüller (34, GER, both SSR Performance) put in a strong performance to not only secure victory in Saturday’s ADAC GT Masters race at Hockenheim but also take over at the top of the standings. Last year’s champions Patric Niederhauser (28, CH) and Kelvin van der Linde (24, ZA, both Rutronik Racing) finished second in the best of the Audi R8 LMS contingent, while Lamborghini drivers Tim Zimmermann (24, GER) and Steijn Schothorst (25, NL, both GRT Grasser Racing Team) took third place. “We had a great car again today,” said winner Michael Ammermüller with evident satisfaction. “The team has done a fantastic job again. Christian laid the foundation for our success with his overtaking manoeuvre in the battle for the lead.”