The Austrian factor is generating a lot of excitement in the final sprint for the coveted DTM title. It is points’ leader Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) that everybody is after, especially so the Austrians, and that in the penultimate season round, DTM Red Bull Ring powered by REMUS in Styria from 23 till 25 September: Lucas Auer, second in the standings, is from Kufstein, three-time DTM champion René Rast, currently third, lives in Bregenz and Mirko Bortolotti, fourth in the points’ standings at present, grew up in Vienna. Norisring race winner Thomas Preining, van der Linde’s teammate Philipp Eng and Clemens Schmid also have a home round at the Grand Prix circuit near Spielberg. Moreover, Grasser Racing Team with team principal Gottfried Grasser is based right at the Red Bull Ring.
Driving for the Schubert Motorsport BMW team, Sheldon van der Linde has 130 points to his tally. One could consider his margin of 32 points as reassuring, but not in DTM. After all, competition in DTM this season is more intense than it had been for a long time. There were already ten different winners from twelve races, 15 different drivers were already on the podium. Portimão winner Auer (Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD) is van der Linde’s nearest rival at 98 points, only two points further down is Rast (96, ABT Audi), another two points in arrears is Bortolotti (94, GRT Lamborghini). Theoretically, 19 DTM drivers still have chances of winning the title prior to the final two race weekends at Red Bull Ring and Hockenheimring.
However, Sheldon van der Linde could already convert his first match point at Red Bull Ring. Provided the BMW works driver wins both on Saturday and Sunday (race start: 1.30pm CEST on both days, live on ProSieben from 1pm), a pair of third places for his fiercest rival wouldn’t be enough to prevent him from winning the title early. Preventing the early title win is something Gottfried Grasser will try to do as well. He could hardly think of a more beautiful race track to deliver the maiden DTM race win for Lamborghini. Due to urgent surgery, Belgian Esteban Muth is forced to miss out on both Red Bull Ring and Hockenheim. However, his team Walkenhorst Motorsport plans to run the #10 BMW with a replacement driver.
The thrilling DTM, the talent pool DTM Trophy, DTM Classic with the historic DRM race cars and the BMW M2 Cup provide excellent entertainment at Red Bull Ring and so does the attractive programme for all visitors, from the popular pit walkabout via autograph sessions to competitions.
Source. DTM
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