Mercedes-AMG Junior driver Tom Kalender takes stock of his second DTM season

Exactly ten days ago, Mercedes-AMG junior driver Tom Kalender secured the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title at the DTM finale at the Hockenheimring. The 18-year-old from Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf had already impressed at the season opener in Spielberg with two top-five finishes and claimed his first podium at the Nürburgring – making him the youngest driver ever to stand on a DTM podium. Driving the #84 Mercedes-AMG GT3, he started from within the top 10 on nine occasions and increased his points tally from 25 to 49 compared with his debut year.

In the ‘Three Questions For’ feature, Tom Kalender looks back on the highlights of his season, talks about the challenge of balancing school and motorsport, and reveals the goals he has set himself for the future.

It’s now been ten days since the DTM season finale in front of 112,000 spectators. What’s your personal take on it?

Tom Kalender: “I’ve gone over all the highs and lows of the season in my head once again and have come to the conclusion that it was a good, but also challenging, season. Because in the end, you look above all at the results, and unfortunately those weren’t quite what I would have liked. Often, we were also lacking the necessary bit of luck. However, the teamwork went very well again this season. Basically, we’ve taken a step forward in all areas. This was most evident in our qualifying pace. So the speed was definitely there. I was also able to improve in the races, and in the second race at the Nürburgring we secured our first podium finish together with a second-place finish. That was quite clearly the best moment of the season. On the one hand, a first podium is always something special; on the other, I set a new record as the youngest DTM driver to stand on the podium. For me, it was also a home race. My family and friends were there. It was simply a very special day for me, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m also delighted that I was able to win the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in the end. It’s a cool title that gives me confidence.”

As well as your racing career, you’re still at school – how challenging is it to balance the two?

Tom Kalender: “It’s very challenging. I work very hard at both. Striking that balance isn’t always easy. When you usually spend six to eight hours at school every day from Monday to Friday, you don’t have the time to work on the finer details and perfect every aspect of racing. I have to use the periods between races not only for training, but also to study for school. Next year I’ll be sitting my A-levels. The written exams are in March and April – which is exactly when the European racing series kick off their season. This period certainly won’t be easy, but I take school very seriously and I want to get good results, not just scrape through somehow.’

What goals have you set yourself for the coming years?

Tom Kalender: “I’d definitely like to continue racing in the DTM and build on the great partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf. My aim is to improve step by step. In the long term, I’d naturally also like to win championships – including the DTM. The DTM is a unique series. The ‘one car, one driver’ principle isn’t common in GT racing. You’re entirely responsible for the results you achieve. In that respect, the DTM is comparable to Formula 1®. But the DTM isn’t the only thing on my wish list. I want to keep developing as a Mercedes-AMG driver and gain experience in other series too. Last weekend I competed in the GT World Challenge Europe at Portimão, alongside over 60 GT3 cars. Races like these are invaluable for my development. Right at the top of my list are the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and in Daytona.”