DTM – Stars and Stories from Circuit Zandvoort

• Marco Wittmann celebrates his 200th DTM race
• Jules Gounon swaps overall with DTM icon Manuel Reuter
• Local favourites enjoy home outing in the Netherlands

Impressive milestone: Wittmann contests his 200th DTM race
Marco Wittmann lined up for his first DTM race a full twelve years ago. Now a BMW works driver, he claimed his maiden victory in Hockenheim in 2014. Wittmann's impressive record now reads two titles and 19 race wins. The racer from Fürth reached another milestone in his career in Zandvoort: Wittmann contested his 200th DTM race on Sunday. "I am just pleased to have been involved in the DTM for such a long time. Since I made my debut in 2013, I have not missed a single race and have driven for BMW the entire time. That is something I am proud of. My personal highlights include the two titles in 2014 and 2016, as well as the victory at my home event at the Norisring in 2018," said Wittmann.

Passionate fans: Local favourite Theirry Vermeulen enjoys his home event
Dutchmen Theirry Vermeulen and Morris Schuring experienced an atmospheric home outing at the circuit in the North Sea dunes. The Emil Frey Racing garage was particularly popular with fans during the pit walk, and Ferrari driver Vermeulen enjoyed the ambiance. "I think it is awesome that so many fans in the Netherlands are passionate about the DTM - particularly here in Zandvoort. The weather may not have entirely played ball, but the spectators did get to see two exciting races. It is always nice to race in front of your home crowd," said Vermeulen, who was born in Venlo.

ADAC MX Masters champion Max Nagl visits Dörr Motorsport
Motocross rider Max Nagl was a guest of Dörr Motorsport on Saturday. Since the start of the year, the five-time champion of the ADAC MX Masters has had his sights set on another title with Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing powered by Krettek. In Zandvoort, his new team gave him a taste of the DTM. The two-wheel specialist took a look round the paddock with Ben Dörr, and gave the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo a thorough examination in the garage. The 37-year-old watched Saturday's race at the Formula 1 circuit, and had his fingers crossed for Ben Dörr.

Another addition to the collection: Jules Gounon swaps overall with Manuel Reuter
Manuel Reuter is a DTM institution: he was crowned champion in the DTM/ITC series and twice won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was a good enough reason for Mercedes-AMG driver Jules Gounon to add another item to his extensive collection of overalls. In Zandvoort, the Frenchman and Reuter exchanged their work attire. "I have been collecting drivers' racing overalls for a number of years, and now have 40 to 50 of them at home. They include many that belonged to DTM legends like René Rast, Marco Wittmann, Maro Engel, Mike Rockenfeller, Bernd Schneider and now Manuel Reuter. I usually swap them for one of my overalls - that way, my collection at home is growing all the time," said a delighted Gounon.

Milestone: Pole record for Rast
René Rast made DTM history on Friday. The three-time champion secured his 26th pole position in qualifying for the Sunday race, putting him out on his own as the record holder in the DTM. Before Friday, Rast had been tied with DTM legend Bernd Schneider. "A phenomenal effort from René Rast. I congratulated him personally. He certainly also has the potential to break my record number of titles. However, I hope that will take a while yet," said Schneider, who sent the drivers into Saturday's opening race at Circuit Zandvoort with the "Drivers start your engines" sign.

Virtual showdown: Morris Schuring takes on his fans
It was straight back down to business for Morris Schuring after Saturday's race. The driver from Amsterdam took on the Dutch fans as part of the "Beat the Pro" challenge on the RaceRoom simulators in the DTM Fan Zone. At the wheel of his virtual Porsche 911 GT3 R, the youngster went head to head with eight opponents in a race at Circuit Zandvoort. "That was great fun! It was impressive to see how fast the guys were. I think it is great that the DTM is running promotions like this with the fans. A few years ago, I was also a young lad who came to the circuit to watch the DTM," said Schuring, who was a very active sim racer in his youth.

Slick decision: Tomczyk helps Thiim to second place
Nicki Thiim was one of three drivers who lined up on slicks despite the wet surface at the start of Saturday's race. The risk paid dividends, as the Dane finished runner-up to claim the first podium in the new Lamborghini era at Abt Sportsline. However, the decision was not made by Thiim himself, but by Abt Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk: "I was stood on the grid, when Martin Tomczyk came up to me just before the start and said: 'You don't have a choice, you are racing on slicks'. If the boss tells you that, then you obviously do it," said Thiim with a grin. "That was a great decision from him. I am incredibly proud of the podium."

Honour for two Dutchmen at DTM event
Nicky Catsburg and Larry ten Voorde were added to the National Motorsport Monument at Circuit Zandvoort during the DTM weekend. Gijs van Lennep was on site to congratulate the two Dutchmen - the former Formula 1 driver and two-time Le Mans winner is a member of the committee that decides which drivers are to be immortalised on the National Motorsport Monument. Catsburg was honoured for his victories in the 24-hour races in Le Mans, at Spa-Francorchamps and at the Nürburgring, among other achievements. Ten Voorde was recognised for multiple titles in Porsche one-make cups. Last year, the 28-year-old won the title in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland for the fourth time on the DTM platform. "A lad from Twente among all those legends - I am eternally grateful," said a delighted ten Voorde. Catsburg added: "It is unbelievable to see my name next to so many of my idols."