"This deserves my respect!": The W&S Motorsport drivers Max Kronberg and Hendrik Still on the ADAC GT4 Germany season

Question: "The first half of the 2023 ADAC GT4 Germany season is done, looking back, what is your summary so far?"

Max Kronberg: "The season was mixed, with ups and downs. It started at Oschersleben with a victory on Saturday in the Trophy and an accident through no fault of our own on Sunday. Zandvoort was then far more successful with second and third place in the Trophy. At the Nürburgring, I was forced off the track early in the first race and had to park the car. On Sunday, after a strong race in the rain, we managed to win the Trophy and finish a super sixth overall. Now I'm traveling to the Lausitzring in second place in the Trophy standings and, of course, we want to score a lot of points again."

Hendrik Still: "We went into the season with high expectations and have had a lot of bad luck with accidents in both series, the ADAC GT4 Germany and GT4 European Series. But we were also able to celebrate successes and Max is in second place in the Trophy standings at the halfway point. The goal in the second half is to get him to first place and score plenty of points for the team championship."

Question: "What is the appeal of ADAC GT4 Germany for you, what is the biggest challenge?"

Hendrik Still: "It's particularly fascinating that we're competing as part of the legendary DTM this year. The media presence with live TV and so many spectators is impressive. But the level of the drivers in the ADAC GT4 Germany is now also indescribably high and the championship enjoys a high profile. I've known it since the very beginning, and there's no comparison with the races today. The whole package of professional teams, the many spectators and the tough sporting competition has clearly moved upwards. It's a really great combination."

Max Kronberg: "I agree with that. The development of GT4 racing in recent years is now impressive. It's indescribable fun to drive in the competitive field and experience the spectator backdrop." 

Question: "The ADAC GT4 Germany stops at Oschersleben, Zandvoort, the Nürburgring, Lausitzring, Sachsenring and, for the finale, the Hockenheimring. Which of these tracks is your favorite and why? Which one doesn't suit you so much?" 

Max Kronberg: "My clear favorite is Zandvoort. With the track layout up and down, it has a bit of the flair of a small Nordschleife on the North Sea coast. I also really like the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. It's a pity that it was removed from the calendar, it should be included again. I only know the Lausitzring from tourist drives and I didn't like it very much, but maybe that will change." 

Hendrik Still: "My favorite is the Sachsenring, with which I associate my first victory in the ADAC GT4 Germany. I also have high hopes that we will be successful there. Otherwise, of course, the Nürburgring, this is my home race. I live ten minutes from the race track and, as they say, I race in my living room. Even though I've had success at the Lausitzring, I'd like to replace it with Portimão." 

Question: "You already have several years of experience in numerous series. Is there a series or a particular race that you would still like to participate in?"

Hendrik Still: "My biggest dream is to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans one day. I was close to it last year, but unfortunately it didn't work out. I was allowed to take part in the 2019 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in GT3 and it was fantastic. There's a realistic chance that I'll compete there again." 

Max Kronberg: "At the top of my wish list is definitely still the participation in Australia at the 12 Hours of Bathurst. This track and the race have a very special charm." 

Question: "Your race car is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, what makes the car so appealing? 

Max Kronberg: "I've already had the chance to drive a few race cars and have been driving the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS for quite some time. What I like about it is the naturally aspirated engine and its power development compared to turbo engines. The mid-engine concept also makes the car very agile, which makes it incredibly fun to drive." 

Hendrik Still: "The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS has very direct handling, also in the steering. You get immediate feedback and that makes the car particularly appealing to me. However, it's also a race car that you always have to drive with a lot of sensitivity, because the limit range is very narrow. But if you hit it, it's certainly one of the best GT4 cars currently on the market. On top of that, for me the naturally aspirated engine has the nicest sound in the field and it's a very nice car visually."

Question: "What do you particularly appreciate about your cockpit colleague? 

Max Kronberg: "I've known Hendrik for a long time and we always spend a great time at the race track. Driver-wise, he's always strong and up front. We have a similar driving style and I think that's what combines us very well and makes setup finding much easier." 

Hendrik Still: "I can confirm that, we get along great and are very similar when working in the cockpit. This was already evident in the second half of the season last year and we made great progress together. I'm always absolutely impressed by Max's ambition, and I can learn something from him. He prepares meticulously, keeps fit, is always on time and focused. I don't know any other driver in the AM category who works at this level, it's hard to top that."

Question: "What do you particularly appreciate about the Team AVIA W&S Motorsport?" 

Hendrik Still: "Until two years ago, I only knew the name of the team before Max planned to compete with me in the ADAC GT4 Germany. During my first trackdays as his coach, I immediately noticed the high level of professionalism of the team. At that time I was active in the ADAC GT Masters with GT3 teams and have hardly experienced a comparable level of preparation, analysis and overall work. The effort with which AVIA W&S Motorsport deals with the GT4 topic and works in a structured way cannot be compared with any other GT4 team and is certainly a good reference. The entire crew of Patrick Wagner and Daniel Schellhaas is in no way lagging behind some GT3 teams or even setting the bar higher. In addition, I would like to emphasize how familial the team is with each other and how well they take care of us drivers and our guests and sponsors. My guests confirm this to me every time. I hope that I can stay with the team for a long time!"

Max Kronberg: "I can't add much more to this, the entire team can't be compared to any other. It should certainly be emphasized that the effort after the three total losses at the GT4 European Series in Monza was indescribable and that three race-ready cars were rebuilt from the chassis in such a short time. No one resigned, but helped to get the Porsche ready for racing again. That's not easy to do with just one car and not a matter of course. That deserves my respect!"

Thank you for the interview and all the best for the rest of the season!