Ten drivers can still become DTM champion at the Hockenheimring this weekend. Never before in the long history of this race series, there were so many title candidates prior to the finale. At the top of the points’ table, it is super close: only 16 points separate the first five, the circle of the hot title candidates, five works drivers spread out across five manufacturers. During DTM Hockenheimring powered by AUDI from 7 till 9 October, there are still 58 points to be won. The races on Saturday and Sunday start at 1.30pm CEST.
Out in front, Sheldon van der Linde (Schubert BMW) is the one they are all after. The 23-year-old South African has 130 points, eleven more than Austrian Lucas Auer (119, WINWARD Mercedes-AMG), twelve more than German René Rast (118, ABT Audi). At 116 points, Austrian Thomas Preining (KÜS Team Bernhard Porsche) is fourth in the standings from Italian Mirko Bortolotti (114, GRT Lamborghini). For René Rast, it would already be his fourth DTM title while it would be the maiden title for all other drivers. Mathematically, Luca Stolz (GER, 102, HRT Mercedes-AMG), Nico Müller (SUI, 93, Rosberg-Audi), Dennis Olsen (NOR, 89, SSR Porsche) and Kelvin van der Linde (RSA, 80, ABT Audi) are also still in contention for the title, even tenth-placed Maximilian Götz (GER, 74, WINWARD Mercedes-AMG) could still successfully defend his crown.
“The current constellation prior to the DTM finale is incredible. We have five hot title favourites from five different manufacturers and even ten drivers in total who, mathematically, can still become DTM champion – something never seen in DTM before,” Gerhard Berger says. “The 2022 season has been very exciting so far, with up to 30 world-class drivers from 16 different countries with six strong brands fighting for points race after race in thrilling wheel-to-wheel duels, and that with ten different winners also in an incredibly well-balanced way. That is how I have always wanted DTM! Now, I am expecting a hard, but fair finale and I am very curious myself what the outcome will be.” Gerhard Berger adds: “DTM just like DTM Trophy and DTM Classic, regularly combined with DTM Esports elements and DTM Electric presentations have matured to a motorsport package that excites all the way. Now, we are looking forward to many fans at the track in Hockenheim once more, traditionally the home of the DTM finale.”
Hockenheim is hosting the DTM finale for the 29th time already. DTM as the top act, the talent pool DTM Trophy, the DTM Classic Cup for historic touring cars mainly from the DTM-years between 1984 and 2007 as well as BMW M2 Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux will make it a furious finale at the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring this weekend.
Source. DTM
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