Driver – Daniel Drexel

Team – razoon – more than racing (#714)

2022-2023 24H SERIES Middle East Trophy – GTX Drivers’ champion

Driver – Dominik Olbert

Team – razoon – more than racing (#714)

INTERVIEW. Dominik Olbert on… the 2022 Hankook 12H KUWAIT

When was you first race together? Which series and team were you competing with?

Daniel: “I think it was Dubai, because before that it was just me driving.”

 

Dominik: “In 2022?”

 

Daniel: “Yeah, that was the first one we participated together.”

Was that also with razoon – more than racing?

Dominik: “Yes. We’ve known each other since…2016…?”

 

Daniel: “Something like that, yeah.”

 

Dominik: “I was a coach for KTM. I had raced before” – prior to competing in the 24H SERIES, Dominik raced in the GT4 Central European Cup and the GT4 European Series – “and then when I finished racing, Daniel started. I coached him, and then he moved into our race team.”

What would you say is your best moment in the 24H SERIES whilst you have been teammates?

Daniel, to Dominik: “Barcelona, or Dubai?!” [Both laugh] “Dubai was the bigger race, but Barcelona was the better win, because it was tougher!” *

 

Dominik: “For me, it’s the same. I would also say Barcelona. After the race, we sat on the pitlane, enjoying a beer each…”

 

Daniel: “We were just completely done! The race was so tough because it was so hot.”

 

Dominik: “It was a brilliant race. The podium ceremony was cool, and afterwards, we just talked while enjoying a beer. That was a cool moment, I often remember.”

 

*One year on from its 24H SERIES debut at the same event, razoon – more than racing took its first series win at the 2023 Hankook 24H DUBAI, a result the KTM X-Bow repeated later that year at the Hankook 24H BARCELONA. 

Dominik, which is Daniel’s favourite track?

Dominik: “Good question…” [Pause] “He drives so much, it’s not easy…”

 

Daniel: “If it makes it easier, there are two!”

 

Dominik: [Another pause] “…all in all, I think he likes [Automotodrom] Grobnik, near Rijeka [in Croatia].”

 

Daniel: “That would be number three!” [Both laugh] “One of them is Pannonia Ring in Hungary – it’s a very small track, but the uphill and downhill sections are a lot of fun – and the other one is more obvious, because it’s the Nürburgring.”

And Daniel, which is Dominik’s favourite track?

Daniel: “Grobnik! [Laughs]

 

Dominik: “For sure, that one is up there. But I don’t really have just one favourite. I really enjoyed Kuwait, obviously I like Barcelona… but at Grobnik, there’s a lot of grip, so it’s really cool there!”

Which circuit haven’t you visited together, but would like to?

Dominik: “Spa.” 

 

Daniel: “Zandvoort!”

Dominik, what is Daniel’s best quality as a driver?

Dominik: “I think, in terms of overall racing, his best qualities are during endurance races. When he’s very focused, he can run his two hours totally constantly. It’s just bringing him into the mood! But when he’s there, he’s really consistent. In my opinion, his best races have been endurance races where he can run at 100 per cent, or as near as possible to 100 per cent, perfectly. That’s one of his biggest strengths, in my opinion.”

And Daniel, what is Dominik’s best quality as a driver and/or team boss?!

Daniel: “Dominik is really quick in qualifying and a hard racing guy, so I think we’re kind of at opposite ends here! But yeah, he’s really quick, especially in these… how do you say? In these ‘crunch time’ moments.”

Dominik, what is the most embarrassing thing Daniel has done during your time as teammates?

Daniel: “Oh there are a few there, I think.”

 

Dominik: “Many good ones! In Kuwait for example, he arrived without his HANS device. And for one race, he turned up with just one glove!”

 

Daniel: “Ooops!”

 

Dominik: “We do have a lot of fun at these races. That’s what I always have to say in these interviews!” [Both laugh]  

And Daniel, what’s the most embarrassing thing Dominik has done during your time as teammates?

Daniel: “I’ve got one! Red Bull Ring Histo Cup, this year. We had to make a three-minute pit stop, and Dominik rejoined after two! That was one of his best ones!”

 

Dominik: “Suddenly I was directly behind the leader in a much slower car! I was totally surprised.”

Quick fire round!

-       12 Hours, or 24 Hours?

Daniel – “24.”

Dominik – “24.”

 

-       Coffee, tea or Red Bull?

Dominik – “Coffee.”

Daniel – “Coffee.”

 

-       Petrol or electric?

Daniel – “Petrol.”

Dominik – “Both!”

 

-       Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?

Daniel – “No!”

Dominik – “Yes!” – Surprised by Daniel and CREVENTIC’s mutual disgust, Dominik quickly asks… – “Wait, pineapple ON pizza?” – Yes. – “Oh, I thought you said pineapple OR pizza!”

 

-       Max, Lewis, Charles or Fernando?!

Daniel – “I don’t care, to be honest. I just like the racing, but I probably wouldn’t say, ‘this guy’ or ‘that guy.’”

Dominik – “All in all, I think Max is outstanding and special.”

Daniel, describe Dominik in one word.

Daniel: “Workaholic! He puts so much effort into things, especially if he has a vision of something. Or maybe, ‘ambitious.’ That’s probably a better word.”

Dominik, describe Daniel in one word.

Dominik, to Daniel: “Hmm… how would I describe you in one word…?”

 

Daniel: “One word is really tough.”

 

Dominik: “I was impressed you were so quick!” [Slight pause]. “Actually, yeah. He’s just ‘fast.’ Simple!”

Which one of you is fastest?!

Daniel: “I think we are pretty even on pace, actually. Especially when we’re racing each other.”

 

Dominik: “If we run in similar cars – at Grobnik, sometimes we have that pleasure! – I think we have very similar speed.” 

The Hankook 12H KUWAIT ‘curse’ struck razoon – more than racing for a second year in a row in December. A heavy Free Practice accident sidelined Dominik Olbert for the race itself: nursing a suspected concussion, the team boss was otherwise uninjured during the accident, and true to ‘workaholic’ form, kept himself very busy in the garage for most of the 12 hours. Impressively, the rapidly rebuilt KTM was running in the top five in the early going, but thereafter lost considerable with two trips through the gravel and two separate wheel mounting issues. Daniel, together with teammates Haytham Qarajouli and Artur Chwist, somehow recovered to finish 2nd in GTX.

 

Images – Nico Mombaerts / Petr Fryba

You can also check out this article in our magazine for the 2024 Hankook 24H DUBAI, available for download below. 

 

24H DUBAI magazine download

share this content on:

Related news

View all news

News | August 28, 2024

  Walkenhorst Motorsport set for first 24H DUBAI entry since 2014

Continue readingNews | May 27, 2024

24H DUBAI returns for 20th edition on 10-11-12 January 2025

Continue readingNews | May 23, 2024

Head-to-Head. Brenton and Stephen Grove

Continue reading