Quartet hunting down DTM leader Auer at the Nürburgring

• Austrian Auer leads, ahead of compatriot Thomas Preining
• Top five in the table separated by just eight points
• Event programme features DTM history and Truck Go-and-Stop

Munich. Tension ahead of the DTM highlight in the Eifel Mountains: When the DTM lines up at the Nürburgring from 8th to 10th August, the chasing pack will have its sights set firmly on championship leader Lucas Auer (Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf). The Austrian has led the title race in his Mercedes-AMG since the third race of the season, but the opposition has closed in significantly of late. Ahead of the two races on the thrilling sprint circuit at the Nürburgring, just eight points separate the top five in the championship. Tickets start at € 49 and are available at dtm.com. Admission is free for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. ProSieben will show both DTM races live on TV, with coverage from the Nürburgring starting at 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The two races can also be seen in a free stream Joyn, ServusTV ON and the YouTube-Kanal der DTM.

Key facts, Nürburgring, Nürburg, races 9 and 10 of 16

• Circuit length: 3.629 meters
• Layout: Eleven corners (seven right, four left), driven clockwise
• 2024 winner, race 1: Kelvin van der Linde (Abt Sportsline, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2)
• 2024 winner, race 2: Sheldon van der Linde (Schubert Motorsport, BMW M4 GT3)

Five-way battle at the top
Mercedes-AMG driver Auer was particularly impressive early in the season, with two wins in the first three races. After that, the 30-year-old continued to score points regularly, but the top results eluded him. "The DTM is very evenly matched and it is close at the top. The most important thing in our sprint races is to do well in qualifying," the championship leader reveals. "It is crucial to get maximum speed out of the car. At the Nürburgring that means a perfect set-up and, as a driver, managing the tyres well.” The man of the hour is Auer's compatriot Thomas Preining (Manthey EMA): the 27-year-old has scored a mighty 61 points in the last three races in his Porsche 911 GT3 R. Preining has impressed with spectacular overtaking manoeuvres, and is hungry to continue his run of form in the "Grello" at his home event.

Behind the three Austrians are three drivers separated by a mere handful of points, all within striking distance of the championship leader. Lamborghini racer Jordan Pepper (TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT) lies third, level on points with Preining, and claimed his first DTM victory at the Norisring. The South African has been particularly strong against the clock, picking up ten points in qualifying - more than any other driver. Pepper is followed by former Formula 1 driver Jack Aitken (Emil Frey Racing). The Brit has combined speed with consistency this year in the Ferrari 296 GT3, and currently lies fourth. Lurking in fifth place, level on points with Aitken, is the experienced Maro Engel (Mercedes-AMG Team Winward Racing) in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Engel has demonstrated his tactical nous this season, finishing in the top five in six of the eight races so far.

Home outing for Ford in the Eifel Mountains
Ford is making its comeback in the 2025 DTM season, and HRT Ford Performance arrives at its home event with the wind in its sails. The team from the Nürburgring lines up with two Ford Mustang GT3. Last time out at the Norisring, Arjun Maini (IND) finished fifth to secure the best DTM result so far for the new race car from the USA. "The Norisring was a real highlight. We now want to continue this upwards trend in the second half of the season. The Nürburgring is a home event for the team and me. We want to put on a great show for the fans," says Maini, who lives in Troisdorf, between Bonn and Cologne.

Strong support series and a trip back through DTM history
As well as the DTM, spectators at the Nürburgring can look forward to a feast of racing action. The support programme features ADAC GT4 Germany, the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, the fully-electric NXT Gen Cup, and the Prototype Cup Germany.

Those looking for a little motorsport nostalgia are also in for a treat in the Eifel: all weekend, cult cars including an Abt Audi TT-R from 2000, several BMW M3 E30 and a Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II, will perform demonstration laps at the Nürburgring. At the wheel will be DTM heroes like Stefan Mücke, Volker Strycek and Harald Grohs. On Friday, visitors can taste that racing feeling for themselves on the Track Safari, as coaches take them onto the track alongside the DTM cars in a special session.

On top of all that, the "DTM Trucker of the Year" will be determined in the "DTM-Trucks Go and Stop" competition at the Nürburgring. From 18:45 on Saturday evening, the task facing the drivers of these mighty vehicles will be to accelerate down the start/finish straight, before braking to a halt precisely in front of the main grandstand. Entertainment is also guaranteed away from the track: Peter Wackel will perform his party hits in the DTM Fan Zone from 18:00 on Saturday evening.