SUCCESSFUL SEASON START FOR THE KTM JUNIORS: P7 & P13 AT ADAC GT4 GERMANY OSCHERSLEBEN RACES!

  • Leo Pichler and Leon Wassertheurer put a big exclamation mark on the season opener
  • The two 19-year-olds in 4th place in the Junior classification after the first race weekend
  • Strong team performance by razoon - more than racing at ADAC GT4 Germany premiere

 

Parallel to the Fanatec GT2 European Series race weekend at Hockenheim, where KTM Sportcar GmbH was on the grid with the KTM X-BOW GT2, two of the juniors supported by the manufacturer contested their debut races in the ADAC GT4 Germany at Oschersleben. In accordance with the organiser's regulations, 19-year-old Austrian Leo Pichler completed the first qualifying session on Saturday and put the KTM X-BOW GT4 from razoon - more than racing in a fantastic fifth place on the grid. Just six tenths separated the young student from Gabriele Piana in the BMW M4 GT4 at the top. "I didn't imagine qualifying to be so relaxed," said Pichler. "The competitors who weren't on a flying lap gave way fairly."

 

In the first race on Saturday afternoon, Pichler handed over the KTM X-BOW GT4 to his team-mate Leon Wassertheurer in a very good sixth place. The young German, 19 years old as well, was the second fastest driver in the field at one point and moved up to fourth overall, until the onset of rain put an abrupt end to his forward momentum. "It was my first time on slicks in mixed conditions. I didn't want to take any unnecessary risks," explained Wassertheurer after crossing the finish line. In the end, the duo with car number 14 finished the first race in an outstanding seventh place.

 

On the second race day, Leon Wassertheurer took over the qualifying work. After he had to prematurely abort his flying lap as a result of a brilliantly performed lunge of the X-BOW rear end, it was only enough for 15th place on the grid. In the same position, the German youngster headed for the pits halfway through the race, to hand over the cockpit to Leo Pichler. Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding between the young professionals regarding the pit stop format, which was new to them, valuable seconds were lost. As a result, Pichler returned to the race in 18th place. After a strong recovery, the juniors finished the second race in a good 13th spot.

 

"The boys did a great job. We have exceeded the goals we set ourselves. It was not to be expected that we would be so good right from the start in this strong grid," team manager Dominik Olbert commented on the success in the opening race. "We can happily continue like this, even if we expect a bit of a hard time at the Red Bull Ring due to the long straights and our low top speed. But we are really looking forward to the two home races on 10th and 11th of June." The team is currently in a great fourth place in the ADAC GT4 Germany Junior standings, just two points behind the third-placed team.