One of the highlights of the ADAC GT Masters season is just around the corner. The ADAC's GT3 junior series heads to the Nürburgring as part of the Int. Shell ADAC Truck-Grand-Prix, which attracted more than 134,000 spectators over the race weekend last year. Two 60-minute sprint races will be held, on Saturday at 13:45 and Sunday at 14:15. On Sunday, Sport1 will broadcast the second race live on free-to-air television, along with highlights from Saturday's race. All races will also be streamed live on Joyn, ServusTV ON and youtube.com/adacmotorsports.

• Numerous guest entrants strengthen the field, including DTM team principal Gottfried Grasser
• Home race for Haupt Racing Team, the Holzem twins and Schnitzelalm Racing
• Championship battle between BMW and Lamborghini intensifies

DTM team principal Grasser and seventh manufacturer join as guest entrants
One of the most high-profile guest entrants at the Nürburgring will be Gottfried Grasser (47/AUT). The DTM team principal swaps the pit wall for the cockpit, returning to racing after a 13-year absence behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2. He will share the car with his close friend Gerhard Tweraser (37/AUT), who has already contested 36 ADAC GT Masters races, many of them for GRT Grasser Racing Team. The duo will compete in the Pro-Am class. "Our goal in the first race is simply to make it to the finish. In the second race, we'll see where we end up," said Grasser, who has previously contested twelve ADAC GT Masters races. Despite his ambitions, he is keeping expectations realistic. "We haven't even practised a pit stop with the driver change and everything that comes with it. So our first priority is to finish the race safely. But, of course, the competitive spirit is back immediately, and I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on every tenth of a second and every position."

The ADAC GT3 junior series also welcomes back Prosport Racing with a Mercedes-AMG GT3. As a result, seven different manufacturers will once again be represented on the Nürburgring grid. The team fields series newcomer Felice Jelmini (31/ITA) alongside familiar face Nico Hantke (22/Hürth). Hantke competed in the championship over the past two seasons, securing one pole position, two victories and fourth place in the overall standings. Racing at his home circuit, he has set himself ambitious goals: "I'm looking forward to racing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the first time. It's a new challenge, but I feel very well prepared. Our objective for the weekend is clear: we want to fight at the front and battle for victory."

The third guest entrant is SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm. The team contested the full season last year and has made regular guest appearances since 2024. At their home event, the team's Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be driven by the reigning ADAC GT4 Champions Enrico Förderer (19/Leuterod) and Jay Mo Härtling (23/Sprockhövel). While Förderer makes his GT3 debut, Härtling already has an ADAC GT Masters podium finish to his Name. "We know each other very well as teammates and want to use this opportunity to continue developing in the Mercedes-AMG GT3," said Härtling.

Championship battle enters the next round
Tim Zimmermann (29/Langenargen) and Leyton Fourie (20/ZAF, both FK Performance Motorsport) lead the standings in their BMW M4 GT3 Evo with a five-point advantage. Last year's runners-up have built strong momentum, claiming two victories and two runner-up finishes in the last four races. "We're trying to build on this momentum and keep it going," explained Fourie. "We know the Nürburgring may not suit us quite as well as the previous circuits, but we'll take each race as it comes and make the most of every opportunity." Zimmermann will also enjoy plenty of support at his home event, with around 300 guests cheering him and the team on from a dedicated hospitality lounge.

The closest challengers are Felix Hirsiger (28/CHE) and Finn Zulauf (21/Königstein im Taunus, both Liqui Moly Team Engstler Motorsport) in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2. They have also claimed two victories this season and are determined to regain the championship lead at the Nürburgring. "I'm heading into the weekend feeling positive. The circuit should suit us well. Of course, there are always external factors beyond our control, but I still believe we have everything it takes to win the championship," said Zulauf, who celebrated a podium finish at the Nürburgring last season.

Home race for Sandro and Juliano Holzem and Haupt Racing Team
Following their breakthrough victory at the Lausitzring, twins Juliano and Sandro Holzem (22) from Polch head into their home event full of confidence. "Our motivation couldn't be higher. Many of our sponsors and family members will be at the track, and there will once again be a fantastic crowd. We're really looking forward to the weekend. We know our package is extremely competitive at the Nürburgring and that we have what it takes to win here. We're currently third in the championship and want to take the next step towards becoming genuine title contenders," said Sandro Holzem, who has many special memories of the Nürburgring. "We used to come to the circuit with our father when we were kids, and I also made my DTM debut here."

It is also a home race for Haupt Racing Team. Based in nearby Drees, the squad will field three Ford Mustang GT3 cars and boasts an impressive Nürburgring record, having won three of the last four races in the Eifel while also claiming four podium finishes and three pole positions. With five podium finishes already this season, HRT heads into its home event aiming to secure its first victory of the year.