Dybionka scores podium on ADAC GT Masters debut
Polish driver Fabian Dybionka marked his maiden appearance in the ADAC GT Masters with an immediate podium finish at Salzburg. The 17-year-old claimed second place in the opening race of the weekend, finishing just under half a second behind the winner.
Dybionka joined Haupt Racing Team for the penultimate round of the season, making his first start in a Ford Mustang GT3. He shared the car with 19-year-old Norwegian Emil Gjerdrum. The pairing started from ninth on the grid, but Gjerdrum moved into third position early in the race. After the driver change, Dybionka continued climbing the order, reaching second place and challenging for the lead before crossing the line in runner-up position.
The second race at Salzburg ended in sixth place for the Dybionka–Gjerdrum pairing. The result could have been significantly stronger, as the team lost over 20 seconds due to a penalty stemming from a mechanic error during the pit stop. Dybionka demonstrated strong pace throughout his stint and was the fastest driver on track during his time in the car.
The Salzburg weekend served as a significant test for Dybionka in a new environment. ADAC GT Masters functions as a direct stepping stone to DTM and represents the highest level of the "Road to DTM" programme. At 17, Dybionka was the second-youngest driver in the field and showed pace competitive with more experienced rivals. "It was almost a dream debut for me in ADAC GT Masters," Dybionka reflected. "Both the new car and the new team made a strong impression, and from the first practice sessions I had very competitive pace and knew we could fight for top positions."
Dybionka acknowledged that his crew also assisted the second HRT entry in its championship fight during the opening race, yet still managed to secure second place. In the second race, he demonstrated pace that suggested another podium was possible before the penalty ended those hopes. "I'm pleased to have shown competitive pace in every car I've driven this year, and I hope this will pay dividends and allow me to take the next step in my career in the 2027 season," the Poznań-based driver added.