Aurelius Rusteika and Michael Vergers seized their first Fanatec GT2 European Series Pro-Am race victory at Imola last month, on their maiden outing with the High Class Racing Audi R8 LMS GT2.
Having come third in the inaugural year of the championship with a string of podiums last season, the duo got their 2022 campaign off to a strong start with their new team. Class victory in the first foray of the season was duly followed with second place in race two, leaving Rusteika and Vergers top of the leader board.
With less than two weeks until the next round of the series at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, we caught up with Vergers to see how he’s settling into the High Class Racing team and his hopes for the season ahead.
How are you both settling into your first season with High Class Racing and the Audi R8 LMS GT2?
“It was clear from having competed against them last year that the team were of the right calibre and in the short time we have had the privilege to be part of High Class Racing I haven’t found anything that’s missing, I’m genuinely looked after.”
You got your 2022 campaign off to a great start at Imola, taking your first Pro-Am class win and another second-place finish. How did that feel?
“I think for us both, the win was already close last year and to finally get that top step with Aureljus justifies all the work that’s gone on in the background. To then make it two podium finishes was more than we could ask.”
After the first double-header at Imola you lead the Pro-Am standings by a single point. Is that an indication of how close the competition is this season?
“Leading the standings is always good but it’s also an added pressure to maintain that position. The fact that we are only one point ahead is a testament to how close this season is going to be, but we are up to the challenge and we are now hungry to get more wins!”
Next up is round two at the Red Bull Ring, can you continue your podium perfect record in Austria?
We had a really good two-day pre-season test at Red Bull Ring and, after the two races at Imola, I think we both feel more in-tune with the car. We hope we can keep up our pace but we’re sure the competition will also be stronger.”
The High Class Racing duo will be back in action and hoping to extend their championship lead at the Red Bull Ring, Austria, 21-22 May.
