Two Saxons, two stories: Paul set for DTM comeback, Primm for debut

• Dresden's Maximilian Paul returns two months after his crash
• Simon Connor Primm from Großschirma will be making his debut at the Sachsenring
• Audi youngster Primm at the wheel for the brand with the four rings on its DTM comeback

Munich. Home outings with great significance: When the Sachsenring hosts the DTM from 11th to 13th September, the focus will be on two local racers with very different stories. Dresden's Maximilian Paul (TGI Team by GRT) returns to the DTM cockpit just two months after his crash at the Norisring. For Simon Connor Primm (Seyffarth Motorsport) from Großschirma, this weekend is the start of a new chapter. The 21-year-old will make his DTM debut in front of his home crowd. Primm will be at the wheel of an R8 LMS GT3 Evo2, as Audi returns to the DTM as the ninth manufacturer to line up at the Sachsenring.

Paul battles back to fitness in record time
Since breaking his tibia and fibula, as well as the first vertebra in his back, Paul has been working hard to return as soon as possible. Following a successful operation and many rehab sessions, the 26-year-old took his place at the wheel of his car for the first time during the DTM test at the Sachsenring at the end of August. This proved to be the pivotal moment on the route to his comeback.

"My body really played ball during the healing process. It feels as though I have spent 80 percent of the past two months with my physio. We have worked hard every day, and also done a lot of training in the water," Paul reveals. "My biggest concern during the DTM test at the Sachsenring was initially my back, but it worked brilliantly. My leg was still rather painful, but I was able to drive. I am now really looking forward to getting back in the car and stuck into the DTM, without feeling restricted."

Just 50 days after the crash, the man from Dresden was back behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 during the official DTM test at the Sachsenring, where he completed 98 laps. In doing so, Paul exceeded more than just his own expectations. "In the team, they actually had a bet that I would not manage 15 laps. I won that bet," he says with a chuckle. "I obviously still get the odd twinge here and now after just two months. However, If I did not feel comfortable, then I would not be driving. The motivation and desire to go racing are far greater than a little bit of pain."

From the ADAC GT Masters to the big stage in the DTM
While Paul is returning to familiar ground, Primm is set to embark on a new adventure. The youngster from Großschirma has spent the past three years racing in the ADAC GT Masters, where he lines up for HGL Racing. At the Sachsenring, the team, under the title Seyffarth Motorsport, will run an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2. The outing sees Audi represented in the DTM for the first time this year. The field will consequently grow to nine manufacturers at the penultimate round of the season.

"This is a unique opportunity. For me, the DTM is one of the best series in the world. I have always dreamed of driving in it at some point. When I used to follow drivers like Marco Wittmann and Lucas Auer in the DTM a few years ago, I was still driving karts," says Primm. "The fact that we are lining up with Audi and bringing the manufacturer back to the DTM this season makes the whole thing even more special."

Primm will not be totally unprepared when he lines up at his home event. The debutant has been able to attend two tests with a GT4 car at the Sachsenring within the past two weeks. Despite this, Primm remains realistic ahead of his first DTM weekend: "This is a case of in at the deep end for us. With this in mid, the most important thing is to do a clean and error-free job, and to gain as much experience as possible. I want to test myself against the best. This is exactly the kind of challenge that I relish."