Top time for Maro Engel at DTM opener in Oschersleben

• Friday’s fastest driver is the only man to crack the 1:22-minute mark
• Sheldon van der Linde from Schubert Motorsport follows in second place
• First of Friday’s two practice session produces far faster times

Oschersleben. Maro Engel (Monaco) made a strong start to the 2024 DTM: the Mercedes-AMG driver set the fastest lap time of 1:21.951 minutes on the Friday of round one of the season in Oschersleben. The 38-year-old was the only driver to go below 1:22.000 minutes. “That was a good start for us! I am pleased that we are finally up and running. The track is relatively narrow, which means you are constantly put to the test as a driver. Despite this, it has a nice flow and is always great fun,” said Friday’s fastest man.

Sheldon van der Linde (ZA), at the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3, was 0.323 seconds slower in second place after the first two practice sessions of the 2024 season. Third place went to Jack Aitken (GB) in a Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Emil Frey Racing. “That was a positive start,” said the British driver. “The Ferrari is very good at this narrow circuit, but we still need to improve if we are to start from pole tomorrow. We are now in our second year in the DTM and have gained valuable experience. Last year we finished third here, and we want another podium now.”

Arjun Maini (IND) from Mercedes-AMG Team HRT set the fourth-fastest time after what was generally a strong performance. “That was a great start. I am very happy and have a good feeling in the car. Driving in Oschersleben is fun, but it is very hard to overtake here. As such, qualifying is very important,” said Maini. Fellow Mercedes-AMG driver Luca Stolz (Brachbach) rounded out the top five in the third Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The race against the clock started as soon as Friday’s first free practice got underway. The 20 drivers from ten countries set impressive lap times from the word go at the 3.667-kilometre circuit near Magdeburg. Engel’s fastest time came on his sixth lap. On the whole, the first session was far faster than FP2 in the afternoon, which was won by Maini in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The first qualifying session of the DTM season-opener in Oschersleben starts at 09:55 on Saturday. Fans can follow qualifying live at ran.de. ProSieben is showing all 16 of this season’s races live on free-to-air TV. Coverage starts half an hour before the race start at 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The races are broadcast live or replayed in full in more than 150 territories around the world.