MUNICH, Germany — DTM is coming out of the summer break at full speed. The Nürburgring opens the second half of the season this weekend on Aug. 16-18.
The title fight is entering its fifth round on the traditional circuit in the Eifel. The form curve is in favor of front-runner Mirko Bortolotti, but he has the competition close behind him and therefore needs further top results.
Above all, Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde from South Africa has his sights firmly set on the top of the table, just six points behind the Lamborghini factory driver. A look at the statistics also promises an exciting weekend — seven different winners have emerged from the eight races so far.
Ralf Schumacher is also expecting an exciting DTM event. The former Formula 1 driver is celebrating his unique motorsport comeback alongside his son David. The father-son duo will be competing for U.S. Racing in the Prototype Cup Germany.
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Bortolotti, Rast Want To Continue Strong Form
The man of the hour in DTM is currently Bortolotti. The SSR Performance driver scored 52 of his 104 points in the last three qualifying sessions and races. However, Bortolotti is still waiting for his first win of the season. Nürburgring could come at the perfect time for him.
The 34-year-old scored a decisive victory last season, leading from start-to-finish. Kelvin van der Linde in particular is pushing to regain the top position. The 28-year-old from Abt Sportsline led DTM for four races and is in second place with 98 points, within striking distance of Bortolotti.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” van der Linde said. “We’re 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, which is always a great place to go as a driver.”
René Rast from Schubert Motorsport and Maro Engel complete the chasing trio.
BMW driver Rast can call himself a real Nürburgring expert. The three-time champion has already won three DTM races on the circuit south of Bonn — all for Audi, however.
In the BMW M4 GT3 from Schubert Motorsport, Rast scored an impressive 65 points in the last four races and jumped from ninth to third place overall. Will the 37-year-old continue his peak form at the Nürburgring? Defending champion Thomas Preining. who drives a Porsche 911 GT3 R with the Grello design that is particularly popular in the Eifel and is counting on the home game factor in seventh place overall, also wants to move up.
The Porsche works driver, like Ayhancan Güven, is starting for the Manthey EMA team, which is based in Meuspath in the immediate vicinity of the Nürburgring. The Mercedes-AMG Team HRT also has a short journey to make. The racing team from Drees is competing with the Indian Arjun Maini, who lives in Troisdorf near Cologne, and Luca Stolz.
Schumacher start 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 F-1 driver is sharing a 455 hp Ligier LMP3 prototype from U.S. Racing with his son David Schumacher.
“It has long been my wish to drive a race with David, and I’m happy to get back into a racing car for that,” said Ralf Schumacher. “The car is a lot of fun, we’re looking forward to starting in the Prototype Cup Germany.”Â
The ADAC GT4 Germany and the fully electric NXT Gen Cup will also be at the Nürburgring. The Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Germany will provide fast-paced one-make cup action.Â