Timo Bernhard aims to establish long term presence for KUS Team75 Bernhard in ADAC GT Masters
Sportscar world champion talks about his team's entry in the ADAC GT Masters
A new squad is causing quite a stir in the ADAC GT Masters. KÜS Team75 Bernhard led by World Sportscar Champion Timo Bernhard and his father, Rüdiger, will debut in the series this season with a new generation Porsche 911 GT3 R entered for Porsche factory driver Kévin Estre and a yet to be named teammate. Timo Berhard explains in this interview what's behind his team's start in the ADAC GT Masters. You already have a busy programme as a Porsche works driver, so why are you now taking on extra commitments with your own team? Timo Bernhard: "It's a real pleasure for me to be involved as a team owner, and I am proud of what we have set up. I'm trying to build something for my future with the team's help, and think that this is the right move for me, but none of this would be possible without the backing and assistance of a terrific team. My father is my main supporter without whom my previous successes would not have been possible. My mother helps with team organisation, and I'm on the same wavelength as our team manager, Klaus Graf. I can totally rely on the whole team, since I couldn't do it without having great people in my outfit." Why have you and your father decided to also enter the ADAC GT Masters whilst still contesting the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland? "We've developed the team bit by bit over the years. The outfit has been around since 1975, hence the name, Team75. My father founded the team back then and competed in rallies. We've now been involved with the Porsche Carrera Cup for three years after tackling various rallies. The Cup is a major championship and is an excellent base. We've had an eye on the ADAC GT Masters for around two or three years. Increasing our commitment now goes hand in hand with the team's development. We've improved gradually, and the new Porsche 911 GT3 R presented the ideal opportunity to join the ADAC GT Masters." You are involved with Porsche worldwide in the FIA World Endurance Championship. How do you combine that with your role as team principal? "I will obviously focus on the World Endurance Championship during the current season but will be heavily involved with the team before and after the season. I will, of course, be at the ADAC GT Masters whenever my schedule allows. I think that I can support the team well in view of my motor racing experience despite not being able to attend every race." Kévin Estre will line up for your team in the ADAC GT Masters. He is a fellow works driver at Porsche, which is very unusual. "We had a similar situation two years ago when Earl Bamber drove for the team in the Porsche Carrera Cup. He then joined Porsche last year as a works driver and won Le Mans, so, you could say, we've got good experience of making it work. I really rate Kévin. Generally speaking, Porsche works drivers are some of the best around. It's also a good sign from Porsche to have him drive for us." Can you see yourself racing with Kévin in the ADAC GT Masters? "I don't plan to, because my schedule with the Porsche 919 Hybrid in the World Endurance Championship obviously takes precedence. However, I'll make sure that I'm the one driving our new Porsche 911 GT3 R at the roll-out." Who will partner Kévin Estre in the ADAC GT Masters? "That's still undecided as yet. We've had some great feedback from all over the world and received many enquiries after announcing the new programme. Our goal is to have a driver combination that is consistently good with which we can be among the front-runners. However, we've got no specific goals and know that we've got a lot to learn, as we'll be up against some excellent, experienced competition in the ADAC GT Masters. We intend to do a good job, because our commitment to the ADAC GT Masters is long-term and not limited to one season." There are still over three months to go until the season opens in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on the weekend of April 15th-17th. How advanced will your preparations be by then? "We expect to take delivery of the new Porsche in February and will start our test programme in March. Kévin is going to be really busy in the coming weeks, competing in the United States in Daytona and Sebring. That's a big plus for us, since by the time the ADAC GT Masters season starts, he will already have contested a number of races and be well practised." You will be competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship in England when the ADAC GT Masters season kicks off. Will you watch the ADAC GT Masters races via the online live stream on the Internet? "I will certainly take a look at results and keep up to date, if only out of interest as a racing driver. However, I'll probably have too much on my plate to watch the races. I will obviously be at the ADAC GT Masters every weekend, time permitting." Your biography was released in November last year to coincide with your world championship title win. Was that a bit premature when success as a team boss in the ADAC GT Masters could now follow? "I'm very pleased with the book. It turned out really well and was well received. It's now up to me as a driver and team manager to go on being successful so that we can publish a second book in a few years' time." All ADAC GT Masters races will once again be broadcast live and in full during 2016 by SPORT1 on free-to-air TV. Germany's leading sports broadcaster has already extended the TV contract up to and including 2017 well before the renewal deadline. The 2016 ADAC GT Masters season opens on the weekend of April 15th-17th, 2016, in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Advance tickets are available online at www.adac.de/motorsport.
