Lucas Auer secured another trophy at the 2026 DTM Norisring round after converting fifth on the grid into third place during a dramatic Race 2.
Nicki Thiim completed a perfect weekend by winning from pole, while Finn Wiebelhaus followed him home in second. Auer joined them on the podium after making progress when rain transformed the conditions on the tight street circuit.
The Austrian passed Arjun Maini for third after the race resumed following a red flag. He then maintained his position through the two mandatory pit-stop windows to claim his latest podium of the season.
Auer celebrates another podium at the Norisring
Although Auer could not challenge Thiim and Wiebelhaus during the closing stages of DTM Race 2 at the Norisring, he viewed third place as a significant result. The Mercedes-AMG driver praised both competitors ahead of him before highlighting how effectively his team reacted to the rain and changing strategic picture.
“Yeah, first of all, congrats to the guys next to me [Nicki Thiim and Finn Wiebelhaus]. Really fantastic job. And for me, it was also felt like a little win. It was a bit of a lonely race, but really the rain and strategies we really used for us and my team did amazing. So really pleased with P3.“
Auer spent much of the race behind the leading pair, but he placed himself in the right position to benefit when the weather created opportunities. The podium also continued his consistent run of results and ensured that he left another DTM weekend with silverware.
Rain gave Auer the chance to attack the Fords during DTM Race 2 at the Norisring
Rain began falling during the opening stages before intensifying while the field remained on slick tyres.
The worsening conditions reduced grip and visibility, forcing the drivers to balance aggression with the risk of sliding into the Norisring’s unforgiving walls. The race later stopped after contact involving Marco Mapelli, Matteo Cairoli and Luca Engstler left Cairoli’s damaged Ferrari stranded on the circuit.
When racing resumed, Auer immediately attacked Maini. The pair ran alongside each other before Auer completed the move into Turn 1 and separated the two HRT Ford drivers. Auer explained that he knew the wet conditions offered his best opportunity to move between the Fords, even if the attempt required him to take considerable risks under braking.
“No, for me it was game on because I knew if I wanted to split the Fords, it’s only in the rain and I could manage that. So it was very crucial for me, and I was ready even if it meant going wide. If I outbrake myself, I was ready to do so.”
“But I wanted to move up and so it was tricky, always exciting, I think for the fans anyway. Super wet track and slick tyres is exciting to watch the cars. But it was actually, it was a cool race. But for me, it was really game on because this was the moment where I could actually make up some positions.”
His decisive move ultimately secured Auer the final podium position at DTM Race 2 at the Norisring. Although Wiebelhaus later closed on Thiim in the fight for victory, Auer remained close enough to apply pressure while protecting third place.
Auer praises the Norisring’s record-breaking crowd
A total of 118,500 spectators attended the Norisring weekend, with organisers selling out the available tickets on both Saturday and Sunday. The street circuit’s compact layout places the drivers close to the grandstands and creates a distinctive atmosphere throughout the paddock. Auer said the scale of the support makes it difficult for drivers to move around outside their garages, but he welcomed the growing popularity of both DTM and GT3 racing.
“No, it is just amazing. I think it’s not only for me, for the other drivers, whenever I go out of the box, I cannot move around. And I’m so happy for DTM and in general for GT3 that we are in such a golden era.”
“It is really amazing. And as we know anyway, street circuit, like Norisring, is anyway something special. And to have so many spectators is just a huge thank you to everybody coming to the race and I hope they liked the show. But for me, I’m really proud to be in this moment in DTM and in GT3 because it’s just amazing what is happening.”
The changing weather, close battles and Thiim’s historic double victory gave the capacity crowd plenty of action. For Auer, the weekend delivered another valuable podium and further evidence of his ability to maximise difficult races.
