Dörr sets the fastest time – Engstler covers the most miles
Ten days before the season opener, the DTM held its final test at the Red Bull Ring. Teams and drivers used the official preseason test to make final adjustments under realistic conditions and gather important data for the first race weekend.
Ben Dörr set the fastest lap of the day in the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. The 21-year-old took the top spot with a time of 1:28.199 minutes. In addition to qualifying simulations, the program also included long runs, with a particular focus on the new Pirelli slick tires developed exclusively for the DTM.
Thierry Vermeulen was also pleased with the performance of the new tire. The tire performed consistently both during a fast lap and over longer distances, which provides the teams with valuable insight for their race strategy.
Kelvin van der Linde put in a lot of work: The returning driver completed the most laps in a single session in his BMW and took every opportunity to continue preparing for the season.
Maro Engel, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience to the table as he prepares for his tenth DTM season. With a well-coordinated team and familiar equipment, he is optimistic about the start of the season—especially since it takes place on one of his favorite tracks.
The test day also centered on a new car: the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 made its DTM debut. Luca Engstler was particularly put to the test. With a total of 133 laps, he covered the most distance of any driver and gathered valuable insights for the further development of the new car.
In total, the 21 participants completed more than 2,200 laps, covering a distance of nearly 10,000 kilometers—an intensive preparation for the upcoming season opener.