In 3rd racing weekend and 5th round of the ADAC GT Masters season 2022, which was driven in Dutch circuit of Zandvoort, the Flying Finn Konsta Lappalainen wrote his name to Finnish motorsport racing history. Son of Petri Lappalainen, who 15 years ago collect, for example, two silver medals in Finnish Racing Championship series and competed in FIA GT3 European Championship series, is now the first-ever Finnish who has ever won ADAC GT Masters event.
Konsta Lappalainen and his austrian team-mate Mick Wishofer collect Pole Position in qualifying for the fifth event. Then after starting from Pole Position they successfully defended the position for whole intensive and colourful 60 minute race. Eventually they won the event just by 1,3 seconds gap and therefore Swiss Emil Frey Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo drivers are now in steady silver position in Juniors standings as there are still eight rounds to be driven.
– Zandvoort racing weekend was one of the most successfull for our team in a long time as first me and Mick collect overall victory in Saturdays’ race and then in Sunday our two sister cars secured 1st and 3rd positions in overall classifications. Even me and Mick suffered a puncture in Sundays’ race and therefore were left in 19th position in overall standings, I’m still very happy to be the first-ever Finnish motorsport driver who has ever won ADAC GT Masters race in its’ 28 years of competition history. Furthermore I’m very happy that our team is now leading the Teams Championship and me and Mick are in silver position in Juniors standings, Lappalainen tells.
Both of Zandvoort 60 minutes races were colored by drama. Another Finns Jesse Krohn was forced to retire both events due technical issues and Elias Seppänen collect his season best result by collecting 9th position in overall classifications. Next round for Konsta Lappalainen is legendary Belgium SPA-Francorchamps 24 hours GT3 Endurance race.
– For past three months we’ve made lots of test and development work for our Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo car and now we got a reward by this historical voctory. Therefore I’m heading for summer vacation with a big smile in my face. It’s time to have a small celebration with my family, friends as well as my background team, sponsors and partners. We demonstrated that hard work finally paid off as now one of the goals for this season is now fullfilled, Lappalainen shared his thoughts.
Historical race can be seen at: https://youtu.be/sQTKeXeXQwk.
Final results ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort, Saturday 25.6.2022: Overall top-5:
1. Konsta Lappalainen (FIN) & Mick Wishofer (AUT), Lamborhini Huracan GT3 Evo, 37 laps
2. Dennis Marschall (GER) & Kim-Luis Schramm (GER), Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3, +1,300s
3. Norbert Siedler (AUT) & Simon Reicher (AUT), Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3, +1,793s
4. Jusuf Owega (GER) & Ricardo Feller (SUI), Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3, +4,469s
5. Jannes Fittje (GER) & Jaxon Evans (NZL), Porsche 911 GT3 R, +6,439s
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17. Elias Seppänen (FIN) & Frank Bird (GBR), Mercedes-AMG GT3, +1 lap
ret. Jesse Krohn (FIN) & Nicky Catsburg (NDL), BMW M4 GT3, technical
Final results ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort, Sunday 26.6.2022: Overall top-5:
1. Jack Aitken (GBR) & Albert Costa Balboa (ESP), Lamborhini Huracan GT3 Evo, 38 laps
2. Matteo Druidi (ITA) & Thierry Vermeulen, Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3, +1,075s
3. Arthur Rougier (FRA) & Franck Perera (FRA), Lamborhini Huracan GT3 Evo, +4,800s
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9. Elias Seppänen (FIN) & Frank Bird (GBR), Mercedes-AMG GT3, +30,051s
19. Konsta Lappalainen & Mick Wishofer (AUT), Lamborhini Huracan GT3 Evo, +2 laps
ret. Jesse Krohn (FIN) & Nicky Catsburg (NDL), BMW M4 GT3, technical
ADAC GT Masters 2022 standings, 6/14 rounds, Juniors top-5:
1. Ben Green (GBR) & Niklas Krütten (GER), Schubert Motorsport, 124,5p
2. Konsta Lappalainen (FIN) & Mick Wishofer (AUT), Emil Frey Racing, 96p
3. Jusuf Owega (GER), Montaplast by Land-Motorsport, 90p
4. Kim-Luis Schramm (GER), Rutronik Racing, 81p
5. Joel Sturm (GER), Allied-Racing, 77p
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13. Elias Seppänen (FIN), 27,5p
