EU-GT3: Silverstone: Christian Hohenadel event summary

Christian Hohenadel wins with Corvette at Silverstone

Christian Hohenadel (33, Quierschied/Germany) had a dream start into the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship at the season opener in Silverstone. Hohenadel scored his first victory in the FIA GT3 European championship in Sunday's second of two races, along with team mate Daniel Keilwitz (Germany) in a Callaway Competition-Corvette Z06.R GT3.

In Sunday's second race in Silverstone, Hohenadel directly took the lead in the first corner, after starting third into his first race with Corvette in European competition. The German was under hard pressure of Porsche-driver Kevin Estre in the first couple of laps, eventually the Porsche took the lead from Hohenadel. When the Porsche retired in the ninth lap after a driving mistake of Estre, Hohenadel retook the lead and handed the Corvette to teammate Keilwitz in leading position halfway trough the race. But Hohenadel made a weighty mistake when he entered the pits, as he crossed the line of the pit entry, which is not allowed. The race control seized Hohenadel/Keilwitz with a drive trough penalty. After Keilwitz served the penalty, he went back on track in fourth position, but didn't give up. Keilwitz was almost flying around the 5,9 km track and chased the leading cars. He finally could retake the lead and secure his and Hohenadels first victory in the FIA GT3 European Championship.

"I was really lucky at the start of the race, and went into the lead in the first corner", Hohenadel said after the race. "I had some really nice fights in the beginning, but I made a really stupid mistake, when I crossed the line of the pit entry. The line is almost invisible out of the car, and I didn't thought about it. Daniel (Keilwitz) drove a very strong end of the race, so we were lucky at the end. Our car was just perfect today, I have to thank my team for giving us such a great car."

Hohenadel/Keilwitz had already a fair chance for a first victory in Saturday's first race. Keilwitz started the race and was in promising second position with all chances for the victory, when a water hose blew and he had to retire.

With the first victory in the FIA GT3 European Championship under his belt, Hohenadel heads now to the famous Sachsenring. He will take part in the German ADAC GT Masters in a Callaway Competition-Corvette along with Toni Seiler, and will try the repeat his Silverstone victory at the epic Sachsenring.

-source: christian-hohenadel.de