The Nürburgring experienced a top-class motorsport festival last weekend, which turned into a real family affair. The two van der Linde brothers, Kelvin and Sheldon, each won one of the two DTM races at the weekend. At the same time, father-son duo Ralf and David Schumacher dominated both Prototype Cup Germany races, while 62,500 motorsport fans young and old witnessed the spectacle up close.
The focus of the spectators on both race days: the main races of the DTM, which once again impressively demonstrated what makes this series so special. A starting field with 21 drivers and GT3 cars from seven manufacturers, all of whom can fight for points and surprises. This was also confirmed in the races. While Kelvin van der Linde took both pole position and race victory in his ABT Audi on Saturday, Mercedes-AMG driver Maro Engel came out on top in an extremely exciting qualifying session on Sunday. A little later, in the no less thrilling race, the name van der Linde was once again at the top of the podium. This time, however, with the first name Sheldon.
Away from the DTM championship, the supporting program offered Nürburgring visitors a special highlight: the racing comeback of Ralf Schumacher. Together with his son David, the former Formula 1 driver competed in the Prototype Cup Germany for his first race in 12 years and celebrated an impressive one-two victory at the guest appearance in the Eifel. The father-son pairing secured pole position on both Saturday and Sunday and went on to win both races in commanding style.
For Ralf Schumacher, it was a return to a familiar venue: the now 49-year-old celebrated his victory in the 2003 European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Last year, he also thrilled the fans at the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event at the same venue, where he drove demo laps for the spectators in his former Formula 1 car.
Meanwhile, the most unusual sight of the weekend was provided by a special fan highlight: the DTM Track Safari. Three coaches took to the track as part of the special DTM session, offering passengers a unique view of the cars. The DTM is the only racing series ever to offer this special, up-close experience.
“The DTM celebrated its premiere on the newly opened Grand Prix circuit 40 years ago, and everything came together perfectly again this year,” summarized Nürburgring Managing Director Ingo Böder. “The fact that 62,500 spectators attended this year, around 13,000 more than last year, shows that the DTM is on the right track with its concept and is successfully developing the motorsport format. I think that the Nürburgring once again played its part in an exciting weekend this year and I look forward to welcoming the DTM here again next year.”
The ADAC will announce when exactly the DTM will return to the Nürburgring in 2025 when it presents the DTM calendar for next year.