DTM – Stars and Stories from the DEKRA Lausitzring race weekend

• Actor Hardy Krüger Jr. sends the drivers onto the track at the DEKRA Lausitzring
• Football world cup winner Hans Pflügler goes full-throttle
• The Schaeffler DTM Innovation Taxi is now climate-neutral, thanks to e-fuel

Starring role for Hardy Krüger Jr.
Hardy Krüger Jr. paid a flying visit to the Team Bernhard at the Lausitzring on Sunday. The actor has appeared in multiple TV series, including a main role in the historical adaptation “Stauffenberg”, which received the German Television Award. Hardy Krüger Jr. also played a starring role in the run-up to Sunday’s race, when he sent the drivers out onto the track with the “Drivers start your engines” sign. The UNICEF ambassador had previously taken a look around the paddock and sampled the race atmosphere. Hardy Krüger Jr.: “I first went to watch the DTM 35 years ago. It is incredible how it has developed since then, and being here is always an awesome experience. I am looking forward to a really exciting race – I can hardly wait.”

Schaeffler’s DTM Innovation Taxi now runs on e-fuel
With the DTM Innovation Taxi, Schaeffler is this season running a taxi to demonstrate technological advance at race pace. The integrated Steer-by-Wire system in the Audi R8 LMS GT2, which steers without a mechanical steering column, is regarded as one of the key technologies on the road to autonomous driving. Another step towards the future was taken at the Lausitzring. The Innovation Taxi will run exclusively on E-Fuels in the second half of the season – a first in the field of GT racing. The synthetic fuel has no fossil elements, but is made entirely out of biomass, creating a CO₂-neutral driving experience at DTM circuits.

Former football international “Hansi” Pflügler has fun in the Race Taxi
“Hansi” Pflügler made 277 appearances for FC Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and played eleven times for the German team that won the world cup in 1990. On Saturday, the no-nonsense defender presented Kelvin van der Linde with the trophy for third place at the Lausitzring. Pflügler had previously been “chauffeured” round the track in the Schaeffler Innovation Taxi, and was absolutely thrilled. “I just laughed the whole time during the taxi ride. The speed you reach in a race car, and how late they brake, is unbelievable. After the first few metres, it was clear to me that I really am not a good driver at all. I had great fun here at the Lausitzring and am happy to have experienced a DTM race day.”

Heinrich and Schmid win rally spectacle
The DTM Gravel Challenge, with the electric Opel Corsa Rally Electric from the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” produced some thrilling action ahead of the race weekend at the Lausitzring. Laurin Heinrich and Clemens Schmid took on Maro Engel and Kelvin van der Linde at the Massen Dirt Track. The dusty, off-road show featured three flying laps, followed by a tyre change and driver changeover, then a further three laps. The quartet produced some spectacular images, which fans were treated to in TV partner ProSieben’s pre-race coverage on Sunday. Heinrich and Schmid were ultimately crowned winners of the DTM Gravel Challenge.

Fans form part of the show programme
Even in the morning, the DTM Fan Zone at the Lausitzring was a busy place. Visitors were put through their paces in race simulators or taken on virtual rides in a DTM car, among other things. The fans could also be part of the show programme themselves by using the “Snappers” app from DTM partners “ran” and ProSieben to upload selfies and videos onto the big screens. The busiest snappers went into a draw for grid tickets for the Sunday race. Presenter Maren Braun, whose information and interviews ensured fans were royally entertained: “The fans in Lusatia are mega. So far, there has not been another DTM weekend, at which there has been as much going on in the morning as there was here at the Lausitzring.”

Track Safari reloaded thrills DTM rookie Yvonne
Successful premiere at the Nürburgring, successful sequel at the Lausitzring. On Friday, another two packed buses embarked on a Track Safari around the 3.478-kilometre circuit in Lusatia, during which DTM cars constantly raced past the lucky passengers. The fans onboard experienced motorsport from a totally new perspective. DTM newcomer Yvonne Scholz: “This is my first time at the racetrack and I am absolutely thrilled. The Track Safari was the highlight of the weekend. When the cars raced past us so close to the bus, I was really taken aback. I was not expecting that. It was absolutely awesome.”

Project 1 showcases flax in the Green Room
Flax could replace carbon and plastic in the future. DTM team Project 1 was able to provide spectators at the Lausitzring with more information on this subject. Mudguards and trim parts made from the natural fibre were displayed in the team’s green room. Not only are they just as strong and lightweight as carbon, but they do not splinter either. This makes flax ideally suited for motor racing, as it also has another key benefit: it reduces the ecological footprint and lowers CO₂ emissions by 93 percent compared to carbon and plastic, with at least the same rigidity and aerodynamic properties.