Mercedes-AMG DTM Drivers Lose Championship Lead After Tough Lausitzring Weekend
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport scored points but dropped to second and third in the drivers' standings after a challenging DTM weekend at the DEKRA Lausitzring.
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What Happened
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport collected important points at the third DTM weekend of the season at the DEKRA Lausitzring but fell short of expectations. In Saturday's rain-affected race, Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Tom Kalender finished sixth, seventh, and eleventh, while Maro Engel dropped to 15th after a penalty. Sunday's race saw Engel finish seventh as the best Mercedes-AMG driver, with Auer 11th and Gounon and Kalender retiring.
58,000visitors
recorded at the Lausitzring, an increase over the previous year
“That was not an easy DTM weekend for us. After a promising qualifying on Saturday, the Full Course Yellow phase in the race took away our chance for a better points haul. On Sunday we struggled under the changed conditions already in qualifying and could not unleash our full potential in the race either. As a result, we left important points behind. The championship is still very close, and we are”
Why this matters
The DTM season is highly competitive, and Mercedes-AMG's loss of the championship lead shows how quickly fortunes can change in touring car racing.
Terms in This Story
- DTM
- German Touring Car Masters, a premier touring car racing series.
- Full Course Yellow
- A race condition where all cars must slow down and hold position, often used for safety.
- Safety Car
- A car that leads the race at reduced speed during caution periods to ensure safety.
- Penalty Lap
- A penalty that forces a driver to drive through the pit lane at reduced speed without stopping.
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