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ZANDVOORT, The Netherlands — The DTM is heading to the Dutch North Sea dunes this upcoming Whitsun weekend (June 6-8).
The Zandvoort Circuit not only impresses with its unique backdrop, but also promises high-octane sporting excitement. Mercedes-AMG driver Lucas Auer travels to the third DTM race as the leader of the standings – but there’s no time for a beach holiday: fellow Mercedes-AMG driver Jules Gounon is lurking just six points behind the Austrian.
Dutch DTM fans can also look forward to two local heroes: Porsche driver Morris Schuring and Thierry Vermeulen, who will be driving a Ferrari 296 GT3.
The man of the hour in the DTM is currently Auer. The 30-year-old Tyrolean took a win at both Oschersleben and the Dekra Lausitzring, and has also already secured two pole positions in his Mercedes AMG GT3. Auer arrives in strong form at Zandvoort, where he has yet to win a DTM race.
Fellow brand driver Gounon got off to a great start in his first DTM season: Auer’s closest rival has finished in the top five in each of the four championship races so far, and the Frenchman has even made it onto the podium twice. Defending champion Mirko Bortolotti (I) will also be in focus at Zandvoort.
After a mediocre start to the season, the Lamborghini works driver is under pressure and needs to make up points on the coastal circuit to avoid losing touch with the leaders early on. The Viennese-born driver made his first impression at the Lausitzring, fighting his way up from 20th on the grid to sixth place.
A special weekend awaits Schuring and Vermeulen: The two Dutchmen are looking forward to their home race. “Since I now live in Amsterdam, Zandvoort is very close to home. It’s simply wonderful to have family and lots of friends with me at a DTM event,” says Schuring, who is a big fan of the banked turns: “I find the Hugenholtzbocht in the first sector particularly exciting. You rarely see such high banking at other tracks. It’s quite challenging to drive the perfect line there.”
Vermeulen also has a favorite section: “The middle section of the track is still very old, and you can get a lot out of it there. If you misjudge it, it could cost you your entire weekend. That’s why it’s one of the crucial sections that you really have to nail.”
A historic race weekend awaits BMW works driver Marco Wittmann at Zandvoort. The two-time champion is celebrating his milestone, contesting his 200th DTM race on Sunday. The Fürth native made his DTM debut in the 2013 season – the last of his 19 race wins to date came last year at Zandvoort.
The current field includes five other Zandvoort winners: Ferrari driver Jack Aitken (GB), Mercedes-AMG ace Maro Engel (Monaco), Audi driver Ricardo Feller (CH), McLaren newcomer Timo Glock (Kreuzlingen), and BMW’s René Rast (Bregenz).
