Last weekend, the DTM made a stop with its races at the Sachsenring – the Nordschleife of East Germany. Even a glance at the standings revealed that it will be really exciting at the Sachsenring – because the championship in the drivers’ standings is still open.
Saturday’s race showcased the championship’s unpredictability. With a seven-point lead, Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde arrived in Saxony. Close behind were Lamborghini driver Mirko Bortolotti and Mercedes-AMG veteran Maro Engel, separated by just five points. The DTM weekend at the Sachsenring provided pure excitement for the approximately 48,000 spectators.
However, in the DTM, plans often go awry. Ferrari secured pole position and dominated the race from start to finish.
Mirko Bortolotti finished second, and Maro Engel climbed from fifth on the grid to third during the race. Even the mandatory pit stops couldn’t change that.
The midfield was a hotbed of action. Pole-setter and reigning DTM champion Thomas Preining, driving the yellow-green Manthey-Porsche 911 GT3 R (#91), was penalized five places due to a qualifying infraction. Throughout the race, Thomas Preining engaged in a thrilling duel with Kelvin van der Linde.
In the final quarter of the race, the Manthey-EMA Porsche #91, nicknamed “Grello,” overtook Kelvin van der Linde’s Audi (#3). Schubert Motorsport driver René Rast also overtook the Audi.
Starting from the back of the grid in twentieth place due to a penalty, René Rast in the BMW M4 GT3 (#33) managed to climb up to seventh place. A challenging quest at the Sachsenring.
René Rast’s team-mates Sheldon van der Linde (#31) and Marco Wittmann (#11) crossed the finish line in ninth and eleventh place in their BMW M4 GT3s.
Ayhancan Güven in the second Manthey EMA was not able to finish the race after a tire puncture. On Saturday, Mirko Bortolotti from SSR Performance took the lead in the championship.
On Sunday, the race order was completely reshuffled. As the lights went out, Thierry Vermeulen (#69) in his Ferrari quickly established a lead. Hot on his heels was Luca Stolz in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, who had just passed Kelvin van der Linde (#3) in the Abt-Audi, who had started from second position.
During the pit stop window, the top 4 moved even closer together and with a picture-perfect pit stop, Thomas Preining in the yellow-green Grello Porsche (#91) of Manthey EMA made up three places and lined up in sixth place on the track.
René Rast, in his BMW M4 GT3 (#33), had an even more impressive comeback. Starting from last place on Sunday, just like on Saturday, he gained six places in the opening corners. His teammate Sheldon van der Linde (#31) was forced to pit due to a puncture and was running twelfth.
René Rast’s and Sheldon van der Linde’s teammate Marco Wittmann (#11) was less fortunate. On lap 24, René Rast touched the Lamborghini Huracan (#63) driven by reserve driver Jordan Pepper at the exit of the start-finish straight, resulting in a collision with Marco Wittmann’s BMW M4 GT3 (#11). Thankfully, both drivers were unharmed, but the damaged vehicles prevented their return to the race.
After the safety car intervention and the race resumed, the only movement among the top three was Thierry Vermeulen (#31) dropping to fourth due to a penalty. Luca Stolz (#4) emerged as the winner, followed by Kelvin van der Linde (#3). Thomas Preining (#91) in the Grello car claimed fourth place.
Sheldon van der Linde and René Rast crossed the finish line in eighth and ninth place. Last place went to Ayhancan Güven (#90). Of the 20 GT3 race cars that started, only 13 made it to the finish line.
In the current DTM championship, our KW Motorsport customers are in the following positions in the team standings: Position 1 Schubert Motorsport with 273 points / Position 7 Manthey EMA with 150 points.
In the drivers’ standings, the BMW and Porsche racing drivers competing with KW V6 Racing dampers currently have these positions: Thomas Preining (#91, Manthey EMA) is now fifth in the drivers’ standings with 119 points, while Sheldon van der Linde (#31, Schubert Motorsport) is sixth with 115 points. René Rast (#33, Schubert Motorsport) has 114 points and is seventh. Marco Wittmann (#11, Schubert Motorsport) is eleventh with 89 points and Ayhancan Güven (#90, Manthey EMA) is 16th with 32 points.
In the manufacturers’ standings, BMW (286 points) and Porsche (180 points) are in third and sixth place.
Photos Group C Photography, ADAC Motorsport
