The racing season began in the Magdeburger Börde last weekend for Team Rosberg with the start of the ADAC GT Masters. Even though the results fail to reflect their hard work, the team under team leader Arno Zensen is confident and has gained experience.
Nobody expects to come from the DTM and immediately move up to the head of the field in the GT sport. Team Rosberg was part of the top-class field of the ADAC GT Masters for the first time this past weekend. The weather conditions were unstable and the team first had to find its place. “First of all, it was important for us to find out where we stand in the field,” says team leader Arno Zensen. “It was not easy and of course we would have liked to do better. But we learned a lot.”
No opportunities to pass in the first race
On Saturday morning the four Rosberg drivers started in the first qualifying round that initially took place on wet pavement. The track gradually dried and the lap times got shorter. Aaro Vainio/Michele Beretta got starting position 26 while Jimmy Eriksson/Jonathan Judek made the 34th fastest lap time.
Passing is rather difficult on the 3.667 kilometre long course for starting positions in the last third. So the drivers more or less had to throw in the towel. In the end, the Rosberg Lamborghinis crossed the finish line in 29th (Aaro Vainio/Michele Beretta) and 32nd (Jimmy Eriksson/Jonathan Judek) place. Jimmy Eriksson was disappointed: “It was all rather challenging. While we made small gains, it was not yet enough. We still have a lot of work to do.” Teammate Jonathan Judek is not satisfied either: “Two years ago I was driving a kart. I still have a lot to learn. We did gain some insights. Next time will be better.”
Marginal progress on Sunday
The Rosberg drivers grappled with the lap times in the second qualifying round as well. Jimmy Eriksson and Aaro Vainio gained a tenth here and there over the previous day. Yet starting positions 23 and 30 were once again less than perfect heading into the second race.
Team Rosberg bravely started in the second race at noon on Sunday before a picturesque backdrop and what may have been a record-breaking audience. Once again, the foursome had to admit defeat. They crossed the finish line in 25th (Aaro Vainio/Michele Beretta) and 28th (Jonathan Judek/Jimmy Eriksson) place. “The entire weekend was one long challenge,” is how Aaro Vainio sums it up. “Today was a bit better than yesterday. We definitely have to work on our racing performance.” Teammate Michele Beretta agrees: “We learned a lot in those two days. I found out how important qualifying is here. We will have to work on that.”
The next stop: Autodromo Most
After the first ADAC GT Masters racing weekend, team leader Arno Zensen sums it up like this: “It was not easy, but we knew it wouldn’t be. What can you expect? It was the first racing weekend. Now we have to analyse things and figure out what we need to work on. We are taking a stack of homework away with us. Nevertheless, we were able to make small but evident gains. Switching drivers went off without a hitch. Now we are looking ahead and focusing totally on the next race.”
There is little time to analyse and improve. In two weeks the team heads for Autodromo Most in the Czech Republic (27–29 April 2018).
