Maro Engel completed a lights-to-flag victory in the first of two DTM races at Zandvoort this weekend.
The German, who started from pole and also set the fastest lap in his Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter #48 AMG GT3, called it “a picture-perfect race in a perfect car.”
“I was able to open up a lead after the start, and then to control proceedings,” he continued. “Despite this, you always have to be wide awake at this circuit in Zandvoort, as it does not forgive any mistakes. The sand and dramatic tyre wear, it all demands full concentration right through to the finish. However, it worked out superbly and I am pleased for the whole team about this success,”
Behind, reigning DTM champion Sheldon van der Linde finished second in his Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 and reaffirmed his title ambitions after a bumpy start in Oschersleben. Franck Perera was third in his #94 SSR Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2 and with a podium finish, moved above Toksport WRT Porsche driver Tim Heinemann to become the new championship leader.
At the start of the race, Engel set up his victory with a strong set of opening laps, which saw him pull away from the chasing pack. BMW drivers Sheldon van der Linde and Marco Wittmann followed in second and third place, with Perera and Mirko Bortolotti slotting into fourth and fifth place in their Lamborghinis.
Engel retained his lead after a late mandatory pit stop and had extended his advantage over Sheldon van der Linde to exactly six seconds by the time he took the chequered flag. Perera did his best to overtake the South African, but could not get within striking distance. Team-mate Bortolotti benefitted from an early pit stop and was able to pass Wittmann, who had opted to come in later and was still on cold tyres and take fifth place.
“I am very happy with this second place, as my race pace was not that good,” van der Linde said after the race. “However, it is very difficult to overtake in Zandvoort. It was important to get in front of Marco Wittmann at the start. After that, I set very consistent lap times throughout the entire race, which proved to be decisive.”
Lucas Auer meanwhile, had a strong race in his #22 Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3, coming through from twelfth on the grid to finish sixth. His compatriot Thomas Preining also moved up the order in his #91 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R and finished seventh from 11th on the grid.
Albert Costa Balboa and Dries Vanthoor, who are standing in for IMSA-tied Jack Aitken and Formula E-tied René Rast respectively, impressed in eighth and ninth place on their DTM debuts. Jusuf Owega showed a great deal of fighting spirit to bring his #84 BWT Mercedes-AMG GT3 home tenth despite having suffered damage in a collision.
The second race of the weekend gets underway at 13:30 on Sunday.
Images courtesy of DTM/Gruppe C Photography
