The DTM is coming out of the summer break at full throttle: the Nürburgring opens the second half of the season next weekend (August 16-18). The title fight enters its fifth round on the traditional circuit in the Eifel. The form curve favors front runner Mirko Bortolotti (I), but he has the competition close behind him and therefore needs more top results. Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde from South Africa, who is only six points behind the Lamborghini works driver, has his sights firmly set on the top of the standings. A look at the statistics also promises an exciting weekend - seven different winners have emerged from the eight races so far. An exciting DTM event also awaits Ralf Schumacher. The former Formula 1 driver is celebrating his one-off motorsport comeback alongside his son David. The father-son duo will compete for US Racing in the Prototype Cup Germany.
Key facts, Nürburgring, Nürburg, season races 9 and 10 of 16
- Track length: 3,629 meters
- Layout: Eleven corners (seven right-handers, four left-handers), driven in a clockwise direction
- Winner 2023, Race 1: Mirko Bortolotti (SSR Performance, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2)
- Winner 2023, Race 2: Maximilian Paul (GRT Grasser Racing Team, Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2)
Bortolotti and Rast aim to build on strong form
Bortolotti is currently the man of the moment in the DTM: the SSR Performance driver has scored 52 of his 104 points from the past three qualifying sessions and races. However, Bortolotti is still waiting for his first win of the season - the Nürburgring could come at the perfect time for him. The 34-year-old shone there in the 2023 season with a start-finish victory. Kelvin van der Linde in particular is pushing to reclaim the top position. The 28-year-old from Abt Sportsline led the DTM for four races and, in second place with 98 points, is within striking distance of Bortolotti. "My anticipation is huge. We are right in the middle of the title fight, which gives the whole team extra motivation. The region around the Nürburgring is full of passionate fans, as a driver you always enjoy coming here," says van der Linde. René Rast (Bregenz) from Schubert Motorsport and Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Winward) complete the chasing trio.
BMW driver Rast can call himself a true Nürburgring expert. The three-time DTM champion has already achieved three DTM victories on the circuit south of Bonn - all of them for Audi. In the Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3, Rast has scored a strong 65 points in the past four races and jumped from ninth to third place overall. Will the 37-year-old continue his high level of form at the Nürburgring? Defending champion Thomas Preining (A), who drives a Porsche 911 GT3 R with the Grello design that is particularly popular in the Eifel and is seventh overall, is also aiming for a home race. Like Ayhancan Güven (TR), the Porsche works driver will start for Team Manthey EMA, which is based in Meuspath in the immediate vicinity of the Nürburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team HRT also has a short journey. The racing team from Drees will line up with Arjun Maini from India, who lives in Troisdorf near Cologne, and Luca Stolz (Brachbach).
Schumacher starts in the Prototype Cup Germany
Fans at the Nürburgring can look forward to the appearance of a prominent father-son team. Ralf Schumacher is making his motorsport comeback in the Prototype Cup Germany. The former Formula 1 driver will share a 455 hp Ligier LMP3 prototype from US Racing with his son David Schumacher. "I've wanted to race with David for a long time, so I'm happy to get back into a racing car. The car is a lot of fun and we are looking forward to competing in the Prototype Cup Germany," says Ralf Schumacher.
The ADAC GT4 Germany and the all-electric NXT Gen Cup will also be at the Nürburgring. The Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany will provide fast-paced one-make cup action. With the DTM Track Safari, fans can look forward to a special kind of racetrack expedition on Friday, when coaches will travel to the Nürburgring together with the DTM's powerful racing cars. A premiere is also on the program in the Eifel: The "DTM Trucks Go and Stop" competition will take place for the first time on Saturday evening from 6.30 pm. The aim is to drive as fast as possible on the start-finish straight with the trucks from the DTM paddock and then brake with pinpoint accuracy. In addition, the Sunshine Live After Race Party on Saturday evening from 6.15 pm in the DTM Fan Zone invites you to extend the race day in the Eifel into the evening. Tickets for the DTM race weekend at the Nürburgring are available from 39 euros here. Children and young people under the age of 16 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.