Tim Zimmermann lines up in his fourth season in the ADAC GT Masters in 2023. He and New Zealand’s Jaxon Evans (26) share the cockpit of a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Huber Racing. In an interview, the 26-year-old from Langenargen discusses his previous appearances in the ADAC GT Masters, the first time he met his new team, and preparations for the season-opener on 10th June as part of the “Festival of Dreams” at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg.

What did you get up to during the winter break?

I spent two weeks with my girlfriend in the Philippines and managed to escape everyday life. Apart from that, there were a lot of calls and discussions with teams on a daily basis. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity with Huber Racing. The many phone calls and hard work over the last few weeks and months have definitely been worth it.

The 2023 season marks your fourth year in the ADAC GT Masters. How would you sum up your time in this series so far?

I have had ups and downs in the ADAC GT Masters. It started superbly, when I took pole position at the Red Bull Ring in my first season with Grasser Racing. I also won the Pirelli Junior competition – a great way to start in the series. The following year proved to be totally mad, as my team-mates changed very frequently. Last season, I had a great year with Land Motorsport and Christopher Mies. I claimed my maiden victory in the series at the Lausitzring. That was a fantastic moment for me.

How did that first win in the ADAC GT Masters, at the Lausitzring in 2022, feel?

The relief, and above all the joy at winning, was huge. What made it particularly special was the fact that it was also the 50th victory for Audi in the ADAC GT Masters. I think we could have finished on the podium before that weekend at the Lausitzring, so it was nice to get that monkey off our back.

You have switched manufacturer from Audi to Porsche for the coming season. How palpable is your excitement?

I enjoy taking on new challenges and creating new impetus. I need that. I am definitely excited about the new season. I sat in the new Porsche for the first time during the Huber Racing team presentation, and we adjusted the seat for me. The new 911 is a thoroughbred racing car. You can tell that Porsche have really gone to work on the details. The car looks brutal. However, simply looking good is not going to make us fast.

With Huber Racing, one of the most successful teams in the Porsche one-make cups in recent years is set to make its debut in the ADAC GT Masters. What reasons were pivotal to this cooperation?

I am happy that I have a strong overall package for 2023, with Huber Racing and my team-mate Jaxon Evans. For Christoph Huber, running the Porsche 911 GT3 R is a new project. In recent years, he has made a name for himself in the Porsche one-make cups and has shown that Huber is a top team. With Jaxon, I have a very strong team-mate with Porsche experience at my side. I am also very pleased that the team has allowed me to have a say in the design of the car. With my main sponsor in mind, one side of the car is orange and the other black. We will definitely catch the eye with those colours. I am looking forward to the season.

The new team and Jaxon Evans got to know you at a team event. How did that first get-together go?

I know Christoph Huber from the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, so there was an easy atmosphere from the outset. I was also particularly impressed by the Huber Racing kick-off event: it was attended by several hundred guests and we got to present our car for the ADAC GT Masters. I also know Jaxon from the Porsche one-make cups. During the coronavirus period, we often went up against each other in the simulator. He is a great guy and I am pleased to be racing alongside him this season. Our circle of friends is also pretty similar, with Sheldon and Kelvin van der Linde.

Evans already knows the new Porsche 911 GT3 R from his outings in Daytona and Sebring. How much does that help?

Jaxon definitely plays a big role, particularly at the initial tests. He has a wealth of experience. We have already chatted about the car. With a new GT3 car, you have a lot of work ahead of you, as you have to try out many set-ups before the first race.

What are the next steps in the run up to the season-opener?

As well as the seat adjustment, there is also some organisational work to do, such as travel plans. I will go through the race weekends with my sponsors. I also spend a lot of time in the simulator, preparing for the racetracks. In the last few days I was also measured for my race overalls. At some point, we get the ball rolling with the first tests. I am particularly looking forward to that already. After that is when the work really begins, as we can use the data acquired to work as a team on the performance of the car.

What goal do you have for the new season?

My team principal Christoph Huber has already said that he wants to compete for race wins, trophies and the title. I can only agree with him.

Source: ADAC