Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 15.01.2022 – At 15:00 local time, 79 cars from twelve different manufacturers lined up in glorious sunshine. Right from the off, the pole-sitters in the #7 Audi R8 LMS GT3 and the second Team WRT car (#31) established themselves in the leading group. The number 75, 4 and 777 Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the number 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R were also in contention at the front of the field.
The race developed into an internal battle for the lead between the two Audis. After two thirds of the race distance, the eventual winners were able to pull clear, thanks to flawless stints and perfect pit stops. They then produced a commanding performance to defend their lead to the finish, with optimal support from the Hankook race tyre. 2:08.618 minutes later, the number 31 Audi R8 LMS GT3, with the crew of Benjamin Goethe, Arnold and Maxime Robin, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Frédéric Vervisch, crossed the finish line in second place to make it an Audi one-two. Third place went to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 (#75) run by the SunEnergy1 by SPS team.
There was a shock in the TCE class, which the BBR team from Thailand won with the number 159 Cupra TCR DSG after 541 laps of racing. AC Motorsport finished runner-up with the Audi RS3 LMS DSG (#188), ahead of the Les Deux Arbres team in a Ligier JS2 R (#202). Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “That was a perfect start to the season, with a large field full of high-class cars, manufacturers and drivers. The Hankook crew also did a great job and offered the teams optimal support in all situations. Our Ventus Race tyre once again demonstrated its class and produced a flawless performance at the Dubai Autodrome. I would like to congratulate the winners and those who finished, all of whom put on a great display of motorsport. I am looking forward to the next round of the 24H Series powered by Hankook, which takes place on 25th and 26th March in Mugello, Italy.”
Christopher Mies (MS7 by WRT), #7Audi R8 LMS GT3: “Our car was set up perfectly and ran fantastically. The whole package was perfect, the entire team did a superb job and fully deserved this great success.”
Kantadhee Kusiri (BBR), #159 Cupra TCR DSG: “I don’t know what to say. I am overjoyed. It is an indescribable feeling to stand on the top step of the podium at such a renowned race. I would like to thank everyone who made this success possible.”
