Kevin Estre / #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
“It’s not always easy to assess where we stand with the Porsche compared to the competition. But we regularly show that several Porsches can compete at the front. I think we had a very solid preparation. Of course, there is strong competition and we have to continuously work on our performance. The only real pressure for me is that I really want to win the race for Porsche and for Manthey – the last victory was several years ago. It would be great to finally be at the top again.
It’s very, very hot and we have an unusually high track temperature – we haven’t experienced anything like this for a long time. This requires a different tyre choice and we have to pay attention to the tyres. Compared to previous races, the track temperature today is around 20 degrees higher.
To win this race, you need a fast car first and foremost – we’ve seen in recent years that one of the top three cars has always taken the win in the end. That’s why a strong car in all conditions is just as crucial as a good team and the right tyre strategy. Added to this are a good race strategy and strong team-mates with consistent performances. Everything has to be perfect to win a 24-hour race. And, of course, there is always a bit of luck involved – there are always situations that can end a race quickly.”
Frank Stippler / #64 Ford Mustang GT3
“Competing in the 24-hour race with a Ford means a return to my roots for me – after all, I started my career with Ford. I still remember well how I used to watch drivers like Frank Biela in the Ford Sierra. And I also trained as a mechanic at Ford in Cologne back then. So it’s a great experience to be back on the grid in a Ford at the end of my career.
From a sporting point of view, the weekend will certainly be very demanding for us. We hardly drove at all in the previous races and were therefore unable to gain much experience. We did have a test day on which we made some progress, but overall the heat will be a big challenge for people and technology. In a race like this, the most important thing is to be able to drive quickly and comfortably over the distance. I remember that we at Audi also needed a certain amount of time back then to achieve exactly that. I think that’s basically the biggest hurdle for manufacturers who are new to the Nordschleife. For us, the Nürburgring 24 Hours 2025 should therefore be seen more as a test race.”
Luca Stolz / #14 Mercedes AMG GT3
“Our preparation wasn’t bad, although I have to admit that the results of the Porsche teams obviously speak for themselves. But we were also able to finish on the podium once with third place in the second race of the qualifiers. To finish at the top of the podium in the 24-hour race, you need a strong overall package – made up of many individual pieces of the puzzle. A fast car is particularly important in order to secure a good starting position. Because everything you lose in the starting phase is difficult to make up for later in the race.
We are hoping for an error-free race, the necessary racing luck and the speed we need to be among the front runners and to be able to fight for overall victory. If all the factors come together, maybe this time it will be enough for the top spot on the podium. Although the weather forecast is excellent, I always have a winter jacket with me on the way to the Eifel. At the moment, everything points to a perfect race weekend – but the predicted temperatures will be very demanding for both man and material. That’s why the main thing for the drivers is to drink plenty of fluids to get through the physical exertions.”