Michele Beretta’s intense weekend finished positively, racing on the 25 kilometre Nordschleife circuit. In two days Michele raced in two important 4 Hours endurance races, the ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen (11.07.2020) and the ADAC Barbarossapreis (12.07.2020).
Michele shared the Audi R8 LMS GT3 managed by Phoenix Racing with Kim Luis Schramm and Mike Rockenfeller.
The target of Michele and all the team, in addition to the two 4 Hours endurance, was to stay focused on the highlight event of the German season, the 24 Hours ADAC Total of Nordschleife Nürburgring (24-27 September 2020).
In qualifying of the first race neither Michele nor his team-mates found a lap without traffic and therefore unable to challenge for pole position.
Starting from the sixth row, Michele pushed hard, recovering positions and underlining his talent that was demonstrated in the opening race of the VLN Championship. The Beretta-Schramm-Rockenfeller crew crossed the finish line of the ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen in the tenth position.
Sunday morning’s qualifying for the 4 Hours ADAC Barbarossapreis was excellent, Michele and his mates was able line up the R8 LMS GT3 in second place.
Again Michele started the race and was able to run at the front until the end of his stint, less than ten seconds from the leader.
During the 4 Hours the Audi R8 #15 crew lost many positions from an average middle stint, ultimately finishing 12th.
Michele has just the time to reflect on what was learned last weekend from the double races at the Nordschleife and is already looking towards the European Le Mans Series with the official test to take place on the 14th and 15th of July at Le Castellet (France), which is the prelude to the first round of the championship that will begin with the 4 Hour of Le Castellet (18/19 July).
As already announced, Michele in the ELMS will be at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR of the Dempsey-Proton team in the GTE category and his team mates will be Christian Ried and Alessio Picariello.
Totally immersed and concentrating on these two exciting challenges ahead, ELMS and VLN, Michele said at the end of the task at Nürburgring: “Compared to the previous race we needed some grip, but I am not afraid. We worked on the set-up to find the best solutions for the 24 Hours that will take place on September, which is the real goal. The Phoenix Racing Team know how to develop and prepare the car for this important challenge and it is working very well. As for me, I am taking confidence both with the track and the traffic which in the races at the Nürburgring is a deciding factor in having a good pace and focusing on important results.”
In view of the European Le Mans Series the expectations are very good as well: “Last week I had two days of testing at Paul Ricard covering many kilometres that allowed me to get a real feel for the car. The conditions were very similar to those we will find in the first race and this should allow us to start with a good set-up. The team is extremely professional and prepared and has a long and experienced history in the ELMS championship. I am confident to start in a positive manner in this championship too.”