Lucas Auer heads to the Sachsenring firmly in the DTM title fight as the championship enters its decisive final stages.
The Mercedes-AMG driver endured a mixed Nürburgring weekend after retiring from Sunday’s DTM race, but quickly bounced back with success in GT World Challenge competition. With the Sachsenring and Hockenheim remaining on the calendar, Auer believes staying within striking distance of the championship lead will prove crucial before the finale.
Mercedes-AMG has traditionally performed strongly at the Sachsenring, but Auer expects cooler conditions and tyre warm-up to play a significant role in determining the competitive order this weekend.
Nürburgring disappointment quickly put behind him
Auer admitted the Nürburgring DTM weekend left him disappointed, particularly because he felt he had the pace to fight near the front after the start. However, his subsequent GT World Challenge success helped him quickly move on from the frustration.
“Yes, as you say, it took one week and the Nürburgring made everything right again with the GT World Challenge title secured early. Generally, though, the Nürburgring was obviously a shame because I think, especially after the start, we could have had a say in the fight for the win. At the very least, it would have been a cool battle with Marco and the others.”
“But still, we are fully within striking distance. I completely agree with Marco: a lot is going to happen in the final races, there will be a lot of chaos. You simply have to stay within striking distance for Hockenheim and then deliver fully once again. That is the goal.”
Tyre warm-up could decide Sachsenring qualifying
Mercedes-AMG arrives at a circuit where it has enjoyed considerable success in recent seasons. Auer expects the car to suit the Sachsenring again, but believes DTM qualifying could hinge on who best manages the tyre warm-up and extracts the maximum performance on the decisive lap.
“Yes, normally it is a good track for us. But the Sachsenring demands a different tyre warm-up. I’m pretty sure that whoever gets the warm-up and the peak lap exactly right in qualifying, I think that will make a huge difference.”
“That will be challenging. When you have a test day, everyone can obviously collect a lot of data. But I think that is what it will come down to, because once you position yourself at the front, that is already half the battle at the Sachsenring, and that will be important.”
Cooler conditions create a new challenge
The DTM has faced predominantly hot conditions throughout the season, but temperatures are expected to drop at the Sachsenring. Auer believes the change will make tyre preparation even more important after teams spent much of the year working with significantly warmer track temperatures.
“Yes, we had a little bit of experience in the winter, but that is why I mentioned the tyre topic because the temperatures combined with the Sachsenring make it interesting. It is definitely cooler. I think the whole weekend should, at least from what we know now, remain dry, but it will still be considerably cooler.”
“That obviously makes it a huge challenge because, after such a brutally hot summer, we have become used to different temperatures and different warm-up procedures. But I think that makes it interesting, and whoever gets it right will definitely be in a good position.”
Auer and Engel keep Mercedes-AMG firmly in contention
Mercedes-AMG enters the closing stages of the championship with two drivers among the leading contenders, with Auer joined by Maro Engel in the title fight.
The pair have a long-standing relationship and also share a car in GT World Challenge endurance competition, but compete for different teams in the DTM. Auer insists they have learned how to separate the two situations, racing each other hard in the DTM while working together when they share a car elsewhere.
“Yes, we already have some experience with it. Last year was no different. First of all, because of all the races we do and because we have known each other for so long, Maro and I get along extremely well. For us, it is actually quite simple. In the DTM, we race hard against each other, and in GTWC we work completely together. That has worked extremely well over the last few years in endurance racing.”
“Of course, it is always an interesting combination when you have the DTM at the Nürburgring and then one week later you are together for an endurance weekend. But as I said, we have experience with that now. And in the DTM, we also drive for different teams. Everyone fights fully for their own position, and that is exactly how it should be.”
Auer praises Paul comeback and Behind the Grid series
Auer also discussed DTM’s Behind the Grid documentary series and praised Maximilian Paul for his rapid comeback from injury as the Lamborghini driver is set to join the grid once again at the Sachsenring. Although he had not watched every episode yet, Auer backed the concept and believes it represents a positive addition for the championship.
“I haven’t seen everything yet, but I agree with Marco. And also Max, who I first of all want to congratulate. That is really some comeback. You have to manage something like that first. I really take my hat off to him. Regarding the documentary, it is mega. Really cool for us, and I fully support it as well.”
For Auer, however, attention now turns back to the title fight. With Mercedes-AMG traditionally competitive at the Sachsenring and Hockenheim still to come, maintaining a strong championship position this weekend could prove decisive before the final round.
