The Frikadelli Racing team will take on a new challenge in the 2023 season, entering the brand new #30 Ferrari 296 GT3 in cooperation with Rinaldi Racing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. With a top-class team of four drivers, the crew of team principal Klaus Abbelen is aiming for a top finish at the Nürburgring. The #111 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, with which the team from Barweiler was already successful last year, will also continue to race in the “Green Hell”.
“The anticipation for the new motorsport season is incredibly high. With the entry of the Ferrari 296 GT3, we have decided to pursue a new project this year in addition to our proven Porsche 992 GT3 Cup. We aim to develop the car by the time of the 24h Race so that we can deliver the best possible performance there. In doing so, we also rely on the know-how of Rinaldi Racing, who have already been racing with Ferrari internationally since 2013 and therefore have a lot of experience. We can only benefit from each other in the development of the new GT3 model and have therefore decided in favour of this cross-team collaboration,” explains team principal Klaus Abbelen.
David Pittard, Nick Catsburg, Felipe Laser and Earl Bamber will take turns at the wheel of the #30 Ferrari 296 GT3. While Pittard has caused sensations in the past with many strong performances, especially on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Catsburg has firmly established himself and earned a reputation as an all-rounder in the sports and touring car sector. Among his greatest successes is the victory at the Nürburgring 24h Race in 2020. Both Pittard and Catsburg will start for Frikadelli Racing for the first time.
Felipe Laser has been part of the Barweiler team’s driver line-up for quite some time. Together with Klaus Abbelen’s team, the driver from Leipzig was able to celebrate several successes across different racing series and contributed significantly to the development work in recent years.
Earl Bamber, two-time overall winner of the 24h of Le Mans, is meanwhile about to make his comeback in the Frikadelli Racing Team. In 2021, the New Zealander already sat in the cockpit of the “fastest meatball in the world”.
Porsche 992 GT3 Cup competes again in the Nürburgring Endurance Series
In addition to the Ferrari 296 GT3, the Frikadelli Racing Team will this season again enter the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup in the NLS, which will be shared by Klaus Abbelen and “Jules”. Together, the driver duo achieved third place in the AM Drivers’ Championship of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring last year. The aim is to top this result once again in 2023. They will be supported by Hendrik von Danwitz.
“Our goal is to fight for the AM championship until the very end. Last year we already achieved very good individual results, but unfortunately also had to suffer one or another retirement. It will be important to be even more consistent throughout the season and to collect points at all races if possible. If we manage to do that, we can certainly play a role in the title,” Abbelen continues.
