DTM thriller at the Sachsenring: Ben Dörr secures a McLaren triumph in Saxony

Ben Dörr celebrates his second DTM victory. The Frankfurt-born driver wins the second DTM race at the Sachsenring. Having won at the Lausitzring following a time penalty imposed later on, this is his first triumph at the circuit. The McLaren junior dominated the race in difficult conditions on a drying track.

Thomas Preining took second place in the Manthey Porsche. This sees the Austrian extend his lead at the top of the championship standings. He finished 1.219 seconds behind the winning McLaren.

Ricardo Feller completed the podium in the Manthey team’s second Porsche.

The start was delayed by ten minutes as the track had to be cleared at the Omega after a stream had run across it. Several teams used the delay to switch to slick tyres. A large proportion of the field started the race on slick tyres, which ultimately proved to be the right decision.

During the formation lap, Maro Engel drove through the gravel on entering the Omega bend but was able to continue.

Thirteen minutes before the end of the race, during the second pit stop window, Nicki Thiim and Jules Gounon collided in the first corner. Gounon got stuck in the gravel trap. Nicki Thiim also retired following the collision. Luca Engstler was also involved, but was able to carry on. Jules Gounon injured his wrist in the crash and had to have it After the pit stop window, the safety car was deployed onto the track. Due to the neutralisation, the race was extended by two laps.

At the restart, Kelvin van der Linde spun into the gravel trap at the first corner. The South African was knocked off the track by Maro Engel in the WINWARD Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. The safety car was called onto the track once again. The stewards are investigating the incident, meaning Engel could still face a penalty.

Results (Top 10):

1. Ben Dörr – Dörr Motorsport – McLaren 720S GT3

2. Thomas Preining – Manthey – Porsche 911 GT3 R

3. Ricardo Feller – Manthey – Porsche 911 GT3 R

4. Matteo Cairoli – Emil Frey Racing – Ferrari 296 GT3

5. Maro Engel – WINWARD Racing – Mercedes-AMG GT3

6. Lucas Auer – Landgraf Motorsport – Mercedes-AMG GT3

7. Marco Wittmann – Schubert Motorsport – BMW M4 GT3

8. Thierry Vermeulen – Emil Frey Racing – Ferrari 296 GT3

9. Luca Engstler – ABT Sportsline – Lamborghini Temerario GT3

10. Bastian Buus – Land-Motorsport – Porsche 911 GT3 R