Round 3 of the ADAC GT Masters: Endurance is key
This weekend, Colin Bönighausen from Lower Saxony will be back in the Porsche 911 GT3 car at the Lausitzring. This will be the first time that the razoon – more than racing driver has competed over the longer 80-minute distance.
The third race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters will once again run alongside the DTM. This time, it will take place at the DEKRA Lausitzring. Not only does the circuit in Brandenburg feature a large main grandstand, it is also surrounded by an oval track, parts of which will be used by Colin Bönighausen and his fellow competitors. “The circuit is definitely unique and can’t really be compared to any other tracks,” says Colin, who last competed at the Lausitzring three years ago. He has fond memories of that event, as it was where he secured his first podium finish in the BMW M2 Cup.
When it comes to finding the best set-up, it is mainly the bumps in the otherwise flat infield of the oval on the former mining site that are giving the engineers a headache. Another topic of conversation ahead of the weekend is the forecast heatwave, with temperatures set to exceed 30°C. Colin says, “It‘ll make driving even more exhausting. It‘s boiling hot in the car.“ The 21-year-old, who has also run a marathon, hopes this will give him a physical advantage over his challengers. “But it‘ll be even more about looking after the tyres.“
The third race weekend of the 2026 ADAC GT Masters will also focus on the endurance format. For the first time this year, both races will last 80 minutes. Drivers must change twice, and tyres may be changed once. Bönighausen remains as cool as ever: “As always, it’s all about keeping your nerve.”
From Friday onwards, Colin’s fiancée and his mother will be there too, keeping their fingers crossed. After his first victory at the season opener in Spielberg and further strong performances at Zandvoort, Colin and his teammate Leo Pichler are eager to demonstrate their potential in the championship.
Watch the races live on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel.
Picture: Axel Weichert
