Round 1
Season 8 starts! After long break, new season is here, again starting in
Nurburgring, Germany.
Good start to the season is important, 8 out of 14 drivers titles have been won after win here in Nurburgring, but we have also seen drivers have awful races, and still been able to turn it around, and won the title end of the season.
Series has been joined by big group of new drives, so there is lot of questions to be answered.
Gr3
Porsche-team won its first manufacturers title last season, and has returned with same all German driver-lineup.
farin79 came just short of the drivers title last season. He may not be fastest, but has won many races by being consistent, smart driver. With tactics playing bigger part than ever this season, ''Professor'' will be favorite to win the title. He has never been on the podium in his home race, but he is hoping to change that, and start season well.
His teammate, for 3rd season in a row is
TaZZ_1990. He was important part of his teams title run last season, winning Finale in Le Mans. He is interesting case. He can be fast as any other, atleast in Quali, but too often his pace drops big. He is like Fisichella. If TaZZ can show his speed in races, he will be black horse in title race.
We will also see long time partnership in
Audi, who is hoping to return to top places after couple hard seasons. Big name of the all finnish-lineup is 5-time champion
sota59. Driver that has not been fastest, but has found himself on top end of the season more often than not. Season 5, he was 54sec behind the leader, 4th place. End of the season he won his 5th straight title. He is somebody to look out for, but until he has found co-driver to drive his car for couple races he will miss end of the season, his title-fight will be difficult.
For 5th season, his partner will be his friend
jonirune91. He is back on his own car this season, and is Audi's best hope for drivers title. He has similar problem like a TaZZ. Speed is there, but only sometimes. He struggled in Gr4 last season, but when he tried Gr3 Audi as non-championship driver end of the season, he got faster lap by lap. If jonirune can show that speed and constancy race to race this season, he will be fighting for the title.
These 2 driver-lineups have won 3 manufacturers titles past 4 seasons, by working very closely together.
Mercedes will be hoping same from their drivers. Rookie
Kobr4_21 from Italy has not played game for couple months, but he has long successful past in the game. If he hits the ground running, watch out. Very fast driver.
Other Mercedes-driver is British
wraith0410. He not only new to the series, but also to the game. Not much we can say about him, his experience will be against him, but as season goes on, you can expect him to improve. Testing in Nurburgring been difficult reports say.
Nissan has currently only one driver entered, but hoping to fill the second car soon. Until then, they trust German
Ulbreaker. He is new to GT-MES, but has plenty of experience, and has been racing lot with Nissan, so you could see him start season running.
Gr4
Renault makes its debut in GT-MES. And they have signed big fish as their driver. That is reigning champ Gr4 champion
Nils. German won his first title in Season 2, in Gr4 Honda, and had to wait year for his second title, and it came again in Gr4 Honda. So decision to leave for Renault is surprising, but Renaults Gr4 car has been known to be fast, so it is not as big of a risk as you think. He has won in his home race 4 times, so he will be clearly man to beat.
Teammate of his will be another rookie,
missedapex420 from USA. He is fairly new to game, so not much we can expect from him, so will be interesting to see what he can do.
Honda is powerhouse of the GT-MES. They have won 7 drivers titles, 4 manufacturers titles, 37 races. Success is expected from their drivers. And they have kept their winning driver from last season, Australian
road2fury. He has won races in every season he has been in, but never been able to build championship campaign. He has the speed, and as said he has the car. He now needs constancy. If he keeps his head calm, avoids accidents and picks ups the points every weekend, he is man to beat for the title. He has won in Nurburgring in past, something to look out for.
His teammate is American
Locke. He is returning to series, he drove with Honda in Season 2, and took his only win so far. He has been away long time, so slow start can be expected. He wont fight for the title, but as season goes on, we can see him grow as a driver.
Aston Martin returns for another season, and they have returning driver
Emilius73 from Mexico in their line-up. Emilius has long history in GT-MES, we have seen him grow as a driver every race. He is still looking for his first win, if he keeps his driving clean and constant, that win might come this season.
Other driver is
RafaHellFerz from Brazil. Rookie also, will be growing during the season, interesting to look out for.
Ferrari returns to the series, this time in Gr4. They made good pick up with
Benjeet from Malta, who has shown he can win races. Will be in title fight, if shows up the the races, and keeps head down.
Teammate of his will be Rookie Italian
RappyThePro. He will be interesting to watch, big Ferrari-fan, could be storytail to watch.