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Bentley Team HTP claims podium finish at Sachsenring
Tue 01, Sep, 2015

Bentley Team HTP enjoyed a successful weekend at the sixth round of the ADAC GT Masters at Sachsenring. Fabian Hamprecht (D) and Clemens Schmid (A) claimed their strongest result of the season so far, finishing second on the demanding track in their Bentley Continental GT3. Luca Stolz (D) and Maximilian Buhk (D), who made a guest appearance in ADAC GT Masters, completed a good performance for Bentley Team HTP, just missing out on a place after finishing fourth.

The strong performance of Hamprecht/Schmid started in Qualifying, when Hamprecht qualified second. After the start, he chased the leading Porsche until he handed the Bentley to Schmid. The Austrian continued the chase and put pressure on the then leading Audi right until the end of the race, finishing second with a gap of only 0.6 seconds. Stolz/Buhk were also en-route to a podium finish in the second race. Stolz overtook a Porsche in a hard fight in the latter stages of the race, but had to give this position back according to the race director and finished fourth. During Saturday’s first race, both Bentleys also put in a great performance, but weren’t as fortunate - Schmid/Hamprecht finished 13th after a penalty due to a pit lane infringement, while Stolz/Buhk retired after a mechanical issue.

“The good performance of Fabian and Clemens was rewarded with a well-deserved podium finish, and we showed a good performance as a team this weekend“, Bentley Team HTP team principal Norbert Brückner said after the race. „We a had good qualifying and the speed to fight for the victory. Luca and Maxi were denied a podium finish after a unfortunate decision by the race director.“

Driver quotes after the race:

Luca Stolz: „We certainly had the speed for a victory this weekend and at the end we were a bit unfortunate to lose a possible podium finish. But a fourth place finish isn’t that bad. Now we have to attack again at Zandvoort in three weeks, I hope I can make a return to the podium there.“

Maximilian Buhk: „Our Bentley Continental GT3 was constant until the end and we had one of the quickest cars out there. Saturday’s race had already proved that we have a good car. A podium finish on my guest appearance in this series would have been great, but to finish fourth is OK.”

Clemens Schmid: „I made a minor mistake in my out lap in Sunday’s race, which probably cost one second. Maybe this was the second that we needed at the end! But we are also very happy with our second place. Fabian was great today. He qualified our car on the front row and showed a great performance in the first part of the race. I’m really happy that we made it on to the podium.“

Fabian Hamprecht: „I was much quicker in race two then the leading Porsche, but couldn’t find a way past him and I didn’t want to take too much risk. Clemens then continued my chase and did a great job at the end to secure our best result yet.“