DTM title race at the Nürburgring: Engel under pressure from chasing pack

• Maro Engel travels to the Eifel region with a 21-point lead
• Christian Engelhart set for DTM comeback in a Lamborghini
• Packed programme: Kart Grand Prix, eSports finale, Truck-Go-and-Stop

Munich. The DTM is on the finish straight: round six of eight sees the title race enter the business end of proceedings at the Nürburgring (14th to 16th August). Championship leader Maro Engel (Monaco/Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol) travels to the Eifel region with a 21-point lead. However, that is far from a comfortable advantage, as the lead has already changed hands eight times this season. In Nicki Thiim (DK/Comtoyou Racing), Lucas Auer (A/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf) and the rejuvenated Thomas Preining (A/Manthey), a further three title contenders are waiting in the wings. A glance at the table reveals just how close the battle for the crown is: the top eight includes seven different manufacturers - the stage is set for a thrilling weekend at the Nürburgring.

Tickets start at € 49 and are available at dtm.com. Admission is free for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. ProSieben is broadcasting the races live on free-to-air TV, with coverage starting at 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The two races are also being streamed live and free of charge on Joyn, ran.de, ServusTV ON, and the DTM YouTube channel.

Key facts, Nürburgring, Nürburg, races 11 and 12 of 16

• Circuit length: 3,629 metres
• Layout: Eleven corners (seven right, four left), driven clockwise
• 2025 winner, race 1: Jack Aitken (Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3)
• 2025 winner, race 2: René Rast (Schubert Motorsport, BMW M4 GT3 Evo)

strong>Engel flying high – Pressure on the chasing pack
Engel is in the fast lane this year, and has been firmly established in the leading group since the opening round of the season. The experienced Mercedes-AMG driver has been impressively consistent, averaging 29 points per race weekend so far. Furthermore, Engel already knows how it feels to celebrate victory in the Eifel this year: he won the ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring, and so travels to round six of the season with fond memories. "It is no secret that the Nürburgring is one of my favourite circuits. I have had some great successes there. The big crowds make every race a spectacle. The championship lead is just a current snapshot. We are taking it one race at a time, and want to improve consistently. After all, the opposition is not sleeping," says Engel.

The race weekend in Oschersleben did not go to plan for Thiim, who lies second in the table. The Dane lost his position at the top of the table, but is looking to bounce back and challenge for victory again at "The Ring" with his Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Thiim: "Before the start of the season, we would have dreamed of travelling to the Nürburgring in second place and being part of the discussion when it comes to the title. For us drivers, the sprint circuit is a good mix of tight turns and fast sections. That is precisely what I love about the DTM: we often use track variants that are not so familiar from other racing series."

Auer is waiting for his next success, having kicked off the season with an impressive three podiums in the first three races. The Austrian needs another top result in the Eifel Mountains, to avoid losing touch with the leader. Mirko Bortolotti (TGI Team by GRT), on the other hand, travels to the Nürburgring with the wind in his sails. The Italian made DTM history in Oschersleben, when he claimed the first race win in the world for the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3. "If we have the chance to win, we will take it," says Bortolotti. "I won my first DTM race at the Nürburgring in 2023. We are still in the midst of development with the Temerario. For us, it will be all about using the practice sessions to find the right set-up for the car. It is important for me to put myself in a position, from which I can challenge for a good result." TGI Team by GRT lines up with a new driver at the Nürburgring: DTM race winner Christian Engelhart (Starnberg) will make his comeback, replacing the injured Maximilian Paul in the Lamborghini team.

Home outing for two Eifel teams
Manthey and HRT Ford Performance are right at home at the Nürburgring. The journey from the headquarters of both racing teams to the iconic circuit takes just a few minutes. The race weekend in the Eifel is also a home outing for Ford driver Arjun Maini (IND). The Indian lives in Troisdorf, just an hour's drive away. Porsche racer Preining is looking to back up the excellent showing in Oschersleben with another impressive display in the Manthey "Grello". However, the 28-year-old is still waiting for his first DTM victory at the Nürburgring. "We are very motivated coming into our home event, and want to back up the performance from the last race weekend in front of our fans. Mercedes has been strong this season. But we are too, and it is about time we picked up the first DTM victory for Porsche at the Nürburgring," says Preining.

Race action and nostalgia at the Nürburgring
Even more race action comes courtesy of a further three series at the circuit in the Eifel region: ADAC GT4 Germany, the BMW M2 Cup and the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland will serve up a feast of thrilling motorsport. Anyone looking for a little nostalgia is also in for a treat, with show drives featuring legendary cars from four decades of the DTM. There is also a packed programme away from the track. The DTM Kart Grand Prix takes place at the kart track from 18:30 on Friday, and features the likes of Ben Dörr, Tom Kalender and David Schumacher. At 15:00 on Saturday, the finale of the DTM eSports Championship will be held in the RaceRoom SimRaceCafé on the Ring Boulevard. The "DTM-Trucks Go and Stop" competition then awaits on the start/finish straight on Saturday evening.