The DTM is heading into the home straight: at the sixth of eight rounds, the title race is entering a crucial phase at the Nürburgring (14–16 August). Championship leader Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol) heads to the Eifel with a 21-point lead. However, this is by no means a comfortable cushion, as the lead in the standings has already changed hands eight times this season. With Nicki Thiim (DK/Comtoyou Racing), Lucas Auer (A/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf) and the resurgent Thomas Preining (A/Manthey), three further title contenders are lurking within striking distance. A glance at the standings shows just how closely contested the battle for the crown is: seven different manufacturers arge represented among the top eight – the perfect conditions for an exciting weekend at the Nürburgring.
Tickets are available from 49 euros at dtm.com. Children and young people under the age of 16 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. ProSieben will broadcast the races live on free-to-air TV. Coverage begins at 1 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The two championship races can be watched via a free live stream on Joyn, ran.de, ServusTV On and the DTM’s YouTube channel. On Sunday, for the first time, a DTM race will also be offered with live audio description for blind and visually impaired fans. The broadcast is available via tohr-blindenreportage.de.
Key facts, Nürburgring, Nürburg, rounds 11 and 12 of 16
• Track length: 3,629 metres
• Layout: Eleven corners (seven right-handers, four left-handers), driven clockwise
• 2025 winner, Race 1: Jack Aitken (Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3)
• 2025 winner, Race 2: René Rast (Schubert Motorsport, BMW M4 GT3 Evo)
Engel on a roll – rivals under pressure
Engel has been in the fast lane this year and has been among the frontrunners in the DTM since the first round. The seasoned driver has impressed with his remarkable consistency: on average, the Mercedes-AMG driver has scored 29 points per race weekend so far. In the Eifel this year, Engel also celebrated victory at the ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring and heads into the sixth DTM round with fond memories. “It’s no secret that the Nürburgring is one of my favourite circuits. I’ve enjoyed great success there. The huge crowds of fans make every race a spectacle. Leading the championship is just a snapshot in time. We’re taking it one race at a time and want to keep improving. After all, the competition never sleeps,” says Engel.
For Thiim, who is second in the overall standings, things didn’t go to plan at the race weekend in Oschersleben. The Dane lost the championship lead but is determined to fight for victory again at the “Ring” in his Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Thiim: “The fact that we’re heading to the Nürburgring in second place in the standings and can even talk about the title is something we’d only dreamed of before the season. For us drivers, the sprint circuit is a good mix of tight corners and fast sections. That’s exactly what I love about the DTM: we often race on circuit variants that you don’t really see in other racing series.”
After a strong start with three podium finishes in the first three races, Auer is hoping for another success. The Austrian needs another top result in the Eifel to stay in touch with the leaders. Mirko Bortolotti, on the other hand, arrives at the Nürburgring (TGI Team by GRT) on the back of a winning streak. The Italian made DTM history when he celebrated the Lamborghini Temerario GT3’s first-ever race victory at Oschersleben. “If we get a chance to win, we’ll take it,” Bortolotti announced. “I won my first DTM race at the Nürburgring in 2023. We’re still right in the middle of developing the Temerario. For us, it will be all about finding the right set-up for the car in practice. It’s important for me to get into a position where I can fight for a good result.” The TGI Team by GRT will be fielding a new driver at the Nürburgring: DTM race winner Christian Engelhart (Starnberg) is making his comeback and will replace the injured Maximilian Paul in the Lamborghini team.
Home race for two Eifel-based teams
Manthey and HRT Ford Performance are at home at the Nürburgring. It’s only a few minutes’ drive from both teams’ headquarters to the historic circuit. The Eifel race is also a home race for Ford driver Arjun Maini (IND). The Indian lives in Troisdorf, just over an hour’s drive away. Porsche driver Preining aims to follow up his gala performance at Oschersleben with another strong showing in Manthey’s “Grello”. However, the 28-year-old is still waiting for his first DTM victory at the Nürburgring. “We’re heading into our home race highly motivated and want to build on last race weekend’s performance in front of our fans. Mercedes have been strong this season. But so are we, and it’s high time we secured Porsche’s first DTM victory at the Nürburgring,” explains Preining.
Racing action and nostalgia at the Nürburgring
Three further racing series promise additional racing action on the Eifel circuit: the ADAC GT4 Germany, the BMW M2 Cup and the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany will provide thrilling motorsport. Those with a penchant for nostalgia will be in for a treat with the exhibition runs featuring legendary cars from four decades of DTM history. Away from the races, too, there’s a packed programme at the Nürburgring. On Friday from 6.30 pm, the DTM Kart Grand Prix will take place at the Ring Kart Track, featuring Ben Dörr, Tom Kalender and David Schumacher, amongst others. On Saturday from 3.00 pm, the final of the DTM eSports Championship will be held at the RaceRoom SimRaceCafé on Ring Boulevard, followed in the evening by the “DTM-Trucks Go and Stop” competition on the start-finish straight.