Luca Engstler: “I probably need to rethink my goals”

• Lamborghini youngster discusses his shock DTM win in Oschersleben
• Engstler reveals what was going through his head during the race, and what role his father Franz Engstler plays in his career

Munich. 28th April 2024 is a date that Luca Engstler will remember for a long time. Standing on the roof of his Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, the driver from Kempten raised both fists in the air. Engstler celebrated his maiden DTM victory at the season-opener at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. “To be honest, I still cannot really believe it,” says Engstler, having had a few days to take it all in. “It feels a bit like a dream. I am really happy and grateful that the hard work was rewarded so early in the season.” The driver from Lamborghini Team Liqui Moly by GRT is the 14th from this year’s field to have at least one DTM victory on their CV – a sign of the remarkable strength in depth throughout this top series. And there could be more first-time winners at the end of May, when the DTM visits the DEKRA Lausitzring (24th to 26th May) for races three and four of the season. Tickets for the event in Lower Lusatia start at € 49 and are available at dtm.com.

Among the first to congratulate Engstler on the DTM podium were team principal Gottfried Grasser and his father Franz Engstler, who plays an important role in his son’s career. “My dad has been my biggest support from day one, and has always believed in me,” Luca stresses. “Together with my mother, we have put everything on hold to be successful. I am incredibly lucky and proud to have such a great family.” Franz Engstler himself drove in the DTM from 1989 to 1994 and also started in the World Touring Car Championship. “I am now one DTM win ahead of my father, but he did win a race in the World Championship,” says Engstler.

The year started in a challenging fashion for Engstler. The 24-year-old moved to the experienced Lamborghini Team Liqui Moly by GRT and consequently took his place at the wheel of the car with the golden bull for the first time. Prior to that, he had driven an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2 in both his rookie DTM season and in the ADAC GT Masters. “The Lamborghini is quite different to drive in certain ways. You have thinks like the kinematics of the front axle and the balance of the chassis. Despite this, you also notice that both cars are based on a similar concept,” says Engstler, explaining the differences between the two cars. There was no sign of him struggling to adapt at the season-opener. Having benefitted from a yellow phase and taken the lead, he then superbly fended off the experienced Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Winward) to take victory. “When I saw Maro in my mirror, I knew it was going to be a long afternoon. The key was that I did not make any mistakes or offer him an overtaking opportunity at any time,” says Engstler.

The youngster, whose trademark is the car design in the colours of his partner LIQUY MOLY, has already achieved his personal goal for the season. “In my head, I had set myself the goal of winning my first DTM race this year. I never thought I would achieve it on the first weekend. I probably need to rethink my goals now,” says Engstler with a grin. “There are still a huge amount of challenges to overcome, including on my side. I want to score points at every race weekend, do a good job and understand the Lamborghini better all the time.” Engstler’s next opportunity to do just that comes at round two of the season, at the DEKRA Lausitzring. A glance in the rear-view mirror reveals that the circuit to the south of Berlin has been a happy hunting ground for Lamborghini. Last year, Lamborghini works driver Mirko Bortolotti (I) impressed with a victory and a second place for SSR Performance.