ADAC GT Masters Weekend
Red Bull Ring, Austria
August 12th–14th, 2011

For the first time in the young history of the ADAC GT Masters about 40 GT3 super sports cars competed on Austrian territory. The circuit, formerly known as Österreichring, was modernised in the past few years and is now called Red Bull Ring with a 4.326 km (2.688 miles) long track passing through the beautiful Styrian landscape.

Christopher Haase and Swede Andreas Simonsen (Audi R8 LMS, Phoenix Racing Pole Promotion) had a déjà vu from the Nürburgring in the practice sessions. The times were disappointing and both pilots finished their qualifying session with start position 24. “Needless to say, that we used the free practice sessions to get to know the track like all the other drivers. I managed to adjust quickly and had a good feeling with the car. I felt like I secured the pole position but did not reach a good place. I think the reason for this is the Balance of Performance,” says Haase.

The frustration about the qualifying results was quickly forgotten after the first race. All 40 GT cars had chosen slick tyres for the start. Thick drops of rain and dark clouds signalised downpour. Simonsen started the Phoenix Audi from P24 and finished the first lap in the rain in P15. And Simonsen continued to push. He achieved the impossible with slick tyres and placed the Audi in P10 in downpour. The pit lane entry became a swimming lesson for the pilots and everybody was eager to complete the mandatory stop. Haase took over and went back on the track with wet tyres. The 23-year old exceptional pilot astonished everybody. In the downpour he passed one competitor after another, securing P3 and therefore a place on the podium of the ADAC GT Masters.

The frustration from the qualifying result came back in race 2. The Balance of Performance classification caught up with the team under dry track conditions. Simonsen/Haase had trouble defending their place in the middle field and were able to maintain in P18 until the end of the race.

Christopher Haase: “The first race in the rain was great. I had a lot of fun fighting my way through the field. Thomas Jäger was the hardest nut to crack. This duel was for P3 after all. However, I was able to crack him and keep him behind me until the end. Thinking about race 2, only the Balance of Performance comes to my mind. Our classification is too bad. We are unable to achieve the necessary pace. All the Audi pilots are great drivers. With this classification it actually makes no sense to continue driving.”

Ernst Moser (Team principal, Phoenix Racing Pole Promotion): “Race 2 clearly showed that the BoP (Balance of Performance) for the Audi is not correct. We almost did not get away from our start position. It was embarrassing. It is depressing when the car is working fine and you still have no chance whatsoever. Greetings to the BoP department: There is need for action. We do not want to be field fillers. Audi and Phoenix Racing cannot accept this.”