- First place for #48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in all sessions on Friday and Saturday
- Early pit stop helps Luca Stolz to achieve podium finish in Sunday race
- Denis Bulatov and Marcel Lenerz move up into ADAC GT4 Germany points’ lead
By virtue of an outstanding performance at the second race weekend in 2023 at Circuit Zandvoort, Maro Engel (GER) has achieved his second DTM race win. Driving for Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER, the Performance Driver had already been the fastest man in the field in both free practice sessions on Friday. In the 20-minute qualifying session on Saturday morning, Engel built on this performance with the “yellow mamba”, claiming pole position with a time of 1m 32.585s. Following a successful start of the one-hour race, the lead of the #48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 was never really under threat. In front of 24,000 spectators, Maro Engel used his routine to control his advantage, posted the fastest lap time of the race and then brought a commanding victory home. The Mercedes-AMG brand ambassador achieved the maximum day score of 28 championship points as a result. Lucas Auer (6th/AUT), Jusuf Owega (10th/GER) and Luca Stolz (11th/GER) also ended up in the point-scoring positions.
Further podium result for Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing in Sunday race
In qualifying on Sunday, a red flag with three minutes remaining got in the way of the strategy of the teams. In spite of the interruption, Maro Engel qualified for third place on the grid while Luca Stolz started the race from sixth. During the race, the Mercedes-AMG Team HRT driver benefited from an early pit stop and fresher tyres that enabled him to move up into third place. Luca Stolz then defended this position with the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 until the end and therefore was able to celebrate his first podium of the season. The previous day’s race winner, Maro Engel, again scored valuable championship points by finishing in fifth place.
#4 Mercedes-AMG GT4 secures victory and podium result in ADAC GT4 Germany
As part of the support package at the circuit in the dunes in The Netherlands, ADAC GT4 Germany also staged two races. In the Saturday race, BCMC Motorsport powered by EastSide Motorsport with drivers Denis Bulatov and Marcel Lenerz (both GER) just missed out on the overall win by finishing second. On Sunday, however, the duo made it onto the top step of the podium: having started from pole position, the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT4 dictated the pace and went on to win with a margin of over 22 seconds. As a result, Denis Bulatov and Marcel Lenerz lead the drivers’ standings after two race weekends.
“This weekend, our teams have shown a strong performance. Maro dominated in the race on Saturday. On Sunday, Luca drive a faultless race, was able to benefit from the good pit stop and subsequently was able to defend his position while under pressure. Now, we focus on the Norisring in a fortnight, and we hope to be able to be in contention at the front there again. In ADAC GT4 Germany, we also had two good qualifying sessions and races. I am happy that we are also competitive in the GT4 segment. In the championship, it is looking good, too. Now, we have to continue working and show consistency.”
Thomas Jäger, Sporting Director DTM
“Saturday was a dream day. It was the maiden win for the “yellow mamba” and Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf in DTM. The hattrick with pole position, fastest race lap and victory: it just went perfectly. Today, we knew that it was going to be more difficult with the success ballast. Nevertheless, we fought, and we have shown a good race. Fifth place means solid points for us. Now, I am looking forward to the great atmosphere and the exciting racing at Norisring.”
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER #48
“After the poor weekend at Oschersleben, such a recovery is great. We certainly have made a step into the right direction. Today, the good qualifying was important, but the guys in the pits have made the difference with a super pit stop and the right strategy. At the end, I had to defend my position, but I knew that I would be able to keep my place provided I didn’t make any mistakes.”
Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #4
“On Saturday, we made the best of it with a good strategy and a quick pit stop. Qualifying on Sunday was difficult. As a result, we started in the midfield. Then, we had contact at the start after which, sadly, the race was over for me at an early stage. Nevertheless, we were able to take quite something from this weekend and now we focus on Norisring.”
Lucas Auer, Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD #22
“Having scored the first victory in ADAC GT4 Germany for ourselves and the team is a super feeling. Actually, it was a perfect weekend as we were able to extract everything from the Mercedes-AMG GT4. On Friday, we already knew that the speed was there. On Saturday, we were quite close already, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough. Today, however, we were in control of every aspect and we were even able to save the tyres at times. Now, we have to keep performing in such a brave way and build on this weekend.”
Denis Bulatov, BCMC Motorsport powered by EastSide Motorsport #4
