The DTM is decided at Norisring and four drivers are at stake to be the first champion in the history of the contest under GT3 regulations. A duel that will be played in two rounds on an urban track that offers no margin for error and in which two of them have been protagonists during the free practice sessions. In fact, Maximilian Götz was the fastest driver in FP1 with the Mercedes # 4 of Team HRT. Without wanting to see how his persecutors ‘rise up’, Liam Lawson has set the best time of the day in FP2.
If something defines Norisring it is equality. On a circuit with a lap that is under 50 seconds, making a difference is almost impossible. With everything, Maximilian Götz managed to lead FP1 with a time of 49.568, a record with which it has exceeded by 75 thousandths Lucas Auer. Behind the two Mercedes drivers has been placed Kelvin Van der Linde, second place overall in the DTM. For its part, the leader Liam Lawson has closed the FP1 to 30 thousandths of the South African Van der Linde. Nico Müller has closed the ‘top 5’, while Dani Juncadella has finished ninth.
The protagonists of FP2 have been almost the same as those of the first session, although in a different order. In fact, Liam Lawson finished in front of the second free after posting a best lap of 49.375 and surpass by only 30 thousandths to Arjun Maini. After setting the tone in the first ‘training’, Maximilian Götz had to settle for third place, although his best lap was 37 thousandths slower than that of the DTM and session leader. Lucas Auer has returned to be among the best at the end of fourth, just like a Kelvin Van der Linde who finished fifth.
Dani Juncadella has taken a step forward during FP2 and has finished in sixth position less than a tenth of Liam Lawson’s best lap. In fact, the Spanish rider was the last to lap at 49.4, thus leaving Philip Ellis at 36 thousandths. For its part, the ‘rookie’ Nick Cassidy has shown signs of his rapid adaptation and has managed to finish tenth, just ahead of a Lucas Di Grassi who faces his second consecutive weekend in the DTM at the controls of one of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 from Abt Sportsline team.