HGL Racing Faces Disappointing Weekend at ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort

The ADAC GT Masters weekend at Zandvoort, held from May 22 to 24, 2026, proved to be a challenging outing for HGL Racing by Seyffarth Motorsport. Despite demonstrating strong pace on the demanding 4.259-kilometer dune circuit, the team struggled to translate their potential into points.

Following a promising fourth-place finish during the season opener at the Red Bull Ring, expectations were high. However, the team, featuring drivers Simon Connor Primm and Robin Rogalski in their Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, faced a series of complications that ultimately left them empty-handed for the weekend.

A Race of Missed Opportunities

The weekend began with average free practise sessions, but Simon Connor Primm managed to secure a seventh-place starting position during qualifying. Primm delivered an impressive start in Race 1, quickly climbing to fifth position. While the car operated as the third-fastest on track during his stint, a technical issue emerged after the driver change, hampering performance and relegating the team to a 13th-place finish.

Sunday’s second race saw even more misfortune. After starting 11th, Robin Rogalski held his own, keeping the team in contention for a top-10 result. However, after the mandatory pit stop, disaster struck for Simon Connor Primm. While navigating a three-way battle, Primm was forced to take evasive action to avoid a competitor who had rejoined the track after an excursion onto the grass. This maneuver pushed Primm onto the dirty surface adjacent to the banked corner, resulting in a collision with the wall. Fortunately, Primm was uninjured, but the team’s race ended prematurely.

Did You Know? The Zandvoort circuit, which hosted this ADAC GT Masters event, is a 4.259-kilometer track known for its challenging dune layout, located just outside Amsterdam.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that while the raw pace of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II was evident, the weekend underscores the volatility of GT3 racing, where a single mechanical glitch or an unavoidable collision can derail a team’s entire points tally regardless of their underlying speed.

Looking Ahead to the Lausitzring

Team principal Tobias Seyffarth remains optimistic despite the setbacks. While he acknowledges that the Zandvoort results do not reflect the team’s true capability, he maintains that the priority was the safety of his driver. Analysts expect that if the team can resolve their technical gremlins and maintain their qualifying form, they could be strong contenders for top-10 finishes in future rounds.

The team is now shifting its focus to their home race on the Lausitzring, scheduled for June 19 to 21, 2026, as part of the DTM supporting programme. With the team determined to “attack again,” the upcoming event could be a turning point for their championship standings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the team to retire from the second race?
The team retired after Simon Connor Primm was forced off the racing line to avoid a competitor who rejoined the track from the grass. The car lost grip on the dirty surface and hit the wall.

Audi R8 LMS NLS VLN 1. Lauf 2016 Connor De Phillippi Nordschleife Onboard Land Motorsport Racing

How did the team perform in the first race?
The team finished in 13th place due to a technical issue that occurred after the driver change, despite starting from seventh and running as high as fifth early on.

When is the next race for HGL Racing by Seyffarth Motorsport?
The team will compete next at the Lausitzring from June 19 to 21, 2026, as part of the DTM event weekend.

How do you think HGL Racing by Seyffarth Motorsport will adapt their strategy to avoid mid-pack congestion in their upcoming home race?