The successful Team Rosberg is returning to the ADAC GT Masters with two Lamborghini Huracán GT3s and ambitious goals. With the driver duo of Michele Beretta/Aaro Vainio and the junior Jonathan Judek, who is heading for the starting line along with Jimmy Eriksson, the team has confirmed the four Rosberg drivers for the 2018 season.
The name “Rosberg” is very well known in the motorsports scene – especially since its founder Keke and his son Nico Rosberg have already won the prestigious Formula 1. Considerable success has been achieved under the management of team leader Arno Zensen as well: last year René Rast took the DTM championship cup and the team emerged as the best in the DTM.
Now the Palatine team is heading back into the GT3 sport. “Motorsports is always changing and exciting new projects keep emerging,” says team leader Arno Zensen about the decision. “We have been very successful in the DTM over the last few years, and want to demonstrate our skill in the ADAC GT Masters with equal success. Of course it is clear to everyone that this will first of all be a learning process.”
The ADAC GT Masters has become more and more popular in recent years. Two drivers share the racing vehicles in the 60-minute races, held respectively on Saturday and Sunday.
The goal: making a mark in the returning season
In order to prepare for the “league of super sports cars” – the ADAC has received no less than 37 registrations so far – Team Rosberg is bringing in reinforcements with Lamborghini connoisseur Michele Beretta (23, Italy) who won the championship cup in the Italian GT Championship last year. “I am very happy to be part of the team,” says the 23-year-old. “We have every opportunity to merge quickly and obtain good results.”
His teammate Aaro Vainio (24, Finland) is also experienced in the sport of racing. Like Michele, he has already gathered experienced with the Italian make in the Italian GT Championship. “This is my first GT3 season, so there is a lot to learn,” the young Finn says modestly. “Team Rosberg is very experienced and highly successful too. Surely our goal is to be among the leaders in the field. For me, the key to success will be to learn as quickly as possible.”
Just 18 years old, Jonathan Judek is the youngster in the Rosberg driver line-up. Yet he should not be underestimated. He boldly took the leap from the kart to the GT3 cockpit last year and racked up his first kilometres as a professional. His goal: “I would like to compete for podium placements in the junior rankings during the season. Further development and the opportunity to learn a lot are important to me.”
The ranking to promote juniors was initiated by the ADAC in 2016 and is aimed at all drivers who are no more than 25 years old. And the Lamborghini Huracán GT3? “A sleek beast. Incredibly fund to drive. That really says it all.”
The Rosberg junior will be supported by Jimmy Eriksson (26, Sweden), the older brother of DTM driver Joel Eriksson. From the formula sport to LMP – Jimmy Eriksson has lots of experience. He mainly wants to share that with his young teammate Jonathan. “I am really happy to join Team Rosberg”, says Jimmy. “My goal is to be the quickest Lamborghini on track and to make a big impact as newscomers in GT Masters. But I will not only focus on myself – but also to help and coach Jonathan so we can have good results together.”
”Michele and Aaro are very experienced racing drivers, notwithstanding their young age. Naturally the competition must not be underestimated – renowned teams and strong drivers are competing this year. Nevertheless, we hope to be among the leaders in the field, or to occasionally cause a sensation,” says team leader Arno Zensen about the Rosberg drivers. “Our youngest driver Jonathan is sure to rise to the challenge and will collect a few points. Jimmy Eriksson is exactly the right mentor, he can teach him a lot.”
The Lamborghini Huracán with its 500 HP and especially its extraordinary aerodynamics has proved convincing over the last few years. The race car celebrated success with victories and championship titles in the ADAC GT Masters and Blancpain GT Series. “The Huracán is a highly reliable racing vehicle and Lamborghini provides great support,” says Zensen about cooperation with the Italian manufacturer.
“We are looking forward to the season and want to make our mark. If we succeed in collecting points at the end and can make it to the podium on occasion, we will have met our target.”
The season starts with the first racing weekend in the Magdeburger Börde (Oschersleben, 13-15 April 2018). All ADAC GT Masters races are transmitted live by the German television station Sport 1.
