Team Rosberg celebrates ...
Team Rosberg celebrates first victory in ADAC GT Masters Jubilation in Team Rosberg: At its home round in the ADAC GT Masters at the Hockenheimring the French-Portuguese drivers duo Nicolas Armindo/César Campanico in the Audi R8 LMS celebrated the first victory of the season for the squad from Neustadt an der Weinstraße. "It was a sensational race weekend,” beamed Team Director Arno Zensen. "We are absolutely elated by our first victory with the Audi R8 LMS. Nicolas Armindo’s overtaking manoeuvre against Christian Abt in the first race was simply a real class act.”At the start to the first race on Saturday the quickest in qualifying, César Campanico, initially had to get in line behind his brand colleague Jan Seyffarth (Abt-Sportsline). A well-timed driver change finally moved his Rosberg team-mate Nicolas Armindo within a striking distance of Christian Abt. In the race’s final stage the Frenchman passed Abt and secured the first victory with the Audi R8 LMS for Team Rosberg. At the previous race weekend at Assen Armindo and Campanico just barely had to admit defeat and finished as the runners-up. In the second race on Sunday the Frenchman Armindo in the Audi R8 LMS was leading for a long time after a powerful start. "When rain set in we managed a good pit stop. However, we also suffered a bit of misfortune because we were sandwiched in the pit lane by the team in front of us while the Abt squad had free access. That cost us the crucial time,” analysed Arno Zensen. Running in second place, César Campanico took over the vehicle, delivered a strong race in the rain but had to settle for second place behind Christian Abt and Jan Seyffarth. "In the end, on the slippery track and in heavy traffic, things were really tough,” reported Campanico. "But I’m happy. A victory and a second place are a tremendous result.” After three race weekends of the ADAC GT Masters Nicolas Armindo and César Campanico are ranking third in the championship with the same points score. Armindo is already looking forward to his next run on 3 and 5 July at the EuroSpeedway. "We’ve significantly improved since the last round. The whole squad worked hard and is placing a lot of trust in us drivers. But in terms of driving we’ve also made a step forwards,” said the Frenchman. "I’m convinced that from now on we’ll be able to compete with the front runners in the championship.”The second Audi R8 LMS fielded by Team Rosberg with drivers Oliver Mayer and the Japanese Sakon Yamamoto finished the first race in eighth place. "This meant the two clinched their first point,” said Arno Zensen. "That makes me almost as happy as the sister car’s victory. Due to a mistake on my part the duo had to start from the pit lane in the first race. For the second race, Yamamoto – starting in fifth place – had his best grid position so far but, unfortunately, took an excursion off the track. After that, his car was a little crooked.”