PRESS RELEASE, Oslo/Salzburgring - 06.09.2026
Norwegian 19-year-old achieves his best result in ADAC GT Masters after a strong return to the circuit
One year after a dramatic puncture and heavy crash at the Salzburgring, Emil Gjerdrum (19) had a very different experience at the Austrian circuit. Together with teammate Fabian Dybionka, he finished second in Saturday’s ADAC GT Masters race – his best result in the championship so far.
In the first 80-minute race, with two driver changes, Gjerdrum started from ninth on the grid and moved up to fourth already after the first corner. Within five laps, he had climbed to third. After the pit stop and driver change, Gjerdrum took over the car in second place for his final stint and chased the victory for the remainder of the race.
The Ford Mustang GT3 finished just 0.493 seconds short of victory. Gjerdrum put the leading BMW under pressure for several laps, but it was difficult to get past on the fast Salzburgring circuit. The BMW was driven by Tim Zimmermann and Leyton Fourie, who moved into the championship lead after the weekend.
“We had the pace to win, and I tried to keep the pressure on all the way to the finish. It was incredibly close, but second place is my best result in GT Masters so far, so I’m very happy with the race.”
Second place is Gjerdrum’s best result in ADAC GT Masters, following three previous podium finishes with third place. HRT also secured a double podium on Saturday, with the team’s second Ford Mustang GT3 finishing third.
Podium slipped away after penalties
In Sunday’s Race 2, Gjerdrum and Dybionka finished sixth, but the duo once again had the pace to fight for the podium. Two penalties cost the team more than 20 seconds in total, which meant another podium finish slipped away.
“We had the pace to fight for the podium on Sunday as well, so it’s obviously a little frustrating. At the same time, that’s part of racing, and we have to learn from it. The most important thing is that we had the pace throughout the entire weekend.”
Strong return after last year’s puncture
The return to the Salzburgring had extra significance for Gjerdrum following last year’s crash in the fastest corner of the circuit. He was therefore somewhat nervous about returning ahead of the weekend.
“Last year was a pretty brutal experience, so I was a little skeptical before the weekend. That’s why it feels even better to come back and fight for the victory at the same circuit one year after what happened.”
Gjerdrum highlights Haupt Racing Team and Ford Racing as an important part of the result.
“I really have to thank Haupt Racing Team and Ford Racing for this weekend. They have done a fantastic job, and I’m very grateful for the work they have put in and the trust they have shown in me.”
With a second-place and a sixth-place finish, Gjerdrum takes his strongest ADAC GT Masters weekend so far into the season finale at the Hockenheimring in October.
ADAC GT Masters concludes at the Hockenheimring on October 9–11.
Photos: Group C Photography / HRT Ford Racing
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For further information, please contact:
Emil Gjerdrum, +47 915 27 282
Mads Gjerdrum, +47 906 52 583