Motodrom Insight // ADAC GT Masters
Showdown and anniversary – 10th ADAC GT Masters finale at Hockenheim
The end of the season will bring a major anniversary for the ADAC GT Masters when the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg hosts the two final championship races for the 10th time on 21-23 October and crowns the new champions. Great suspense is guaranteed at the finale on this circuit that is so rich in tradition, as can be seen by taking a look at the history. For the first time in the history of the ADAC GT Masters, the winner was already decided before the final tour stop.
Even just last year, the title fight was entirely open until the very end. Spectators and fans in the stands at the Hockenheimring, which was the penultimate stop of the German GT Championship in 2021, experienced this at first hand. In two exciting and action-packed races, Mirco Bortolotti and Marco Mapelli were entered into the winner’s lists on the Saturday and Rolf Ineichen and Franck Perera on Sunday. Prior to the finale, 13 drivers and four brands still had the chance to win the title and become German GT Champion. Ricardo Feller and Christopher Mies finally managed to clinch the championship by a razor-thin margin of four points after a win and a tenth place in the final races. This was the second-closest decision in the history of the ADAC GT Masters. Only once was it even closer: in 2018, Robert Renauer and Mathieu Jaminet were ahead in the end by just one point.
High performance density – a strong field of drivers – top manufacturers
A similarly exciting title thriller can again be expected at this year’s finale in Hockenheim. The level and performance density of the ADAC GT Masters are extremely high, and the starting grid is very well-balanced. Last season, 16 drivers stood on the top of the podium at least once. In the cockpits of the 550 hp GT cars are ex-champions, GT stars, successful works drivers and ambitious talents. Renowned manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lamborghini and Porsche are an integral part of the German GT Championship, which takes place for the 16th time this year. Two cars will celebrate their season premiere in the German GT Championship: the completely redesigned BMW M4 GT3 and the Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II, a further development of the 2016, 2019 and 2021 champion car. Ideal prerequisites for an exciting showdown at the Hockenheimring, which, following the tried-and-tested format with a 60-minute race on both Saturday and Sunday, will provide a brilliant finale to the 2022 ADAC GT Masters season.
Title decisions also in the supporting programme
In the supporting programme of the ADAC GT Masters, championship trophies are also awarded in various series, with excitement and thrills included. The ADAC GT4 Germany, which is considered the ideal entry platform and stepping stone into the GT class, completes its final races and honours its winners and overall winners at Hockenheim. The same applies for drivers in the ADAC TCR Germany touring cars. For them too, the season will come to an end at the ADAC GT Masters finale following 14 rounds on six tracks in Germany and Austria. The Prototype Cup Germany provides a novelty; the new ADAC series for LMP3 prototypes will also hold its finale and crown its first champions at Hockenheim. Fourth in the group is the Porsche Carrera Cup. This single-brand cup is also celebrating its season finale and crowning its new champions at Hockenheim.
Fans at home can also follow the ADAC GT Masters finale at Hockenheim. The Nitro TV channel will broadcast both races live and full length from 12:30 on Saturday and Sunday (start time 1 pm each day).
