DTM | 2026 Red Bull Ring | Free Practice 2 | Auer sets fastest lap at home

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After a late schedule change, Free Practice 2 of the first race weekend of the 2026 DTM season at the Red Bull Ring got underway. Despite lasting just 20 minutes, officials used the session as a qualifying simulation, as rain at the Red Bull Ring had prevented them from running it during the Official Test Day.

Ben Dörr led the first practice session, leading the pack into the season with his McLaren, while all 4 Lamborghini’s built the end of the table.

Little action in the first 10 minutes of Free Practice 2

With plenty of new and returning faces, the 2026 DTM grid initially headed out on track for Free Practice 2 to try and figure out the best way to set up the car ahead of the two races at the Red Bull Ring. Early on, teams focused on gathering data, however, after just four minutes had already elapsed, most of the cars returned to the box or alternatively drove through the pit lane, resetting before another run.

Only Dörr and Lucas Auer stayed out to gain data around the track in Austria, though both of them shortly followed the other drivers into the box. As the time went out, not one driver set a time in the first half of the session, though they seemed to get ready to go back out with the timer heading 10 minutes. This really simulated a typical qualifying situation of a DTM race weekend.

Early promise fades as Mercedes take control and Lamborghini slip back

With the second 10 minutes starting, the grid headed back out on track, with Mirko Bortolotti setting the first fastest lap of the day. Though, Auer seemed to have an issue with that as her put in the new fastest lap right after Bortolotti jumped to the top. While Auer enjoyed the top spot for a short while, the Ford Mustang of Finn Wiebelhaus put himself on the top spot making it a great start for the Rookie. Though as the session continued the Mercedes drivers kept on setting a fast lap after another showing us their strength ahead of Qualifying.

With the Lamborghini’s showing a great pace at the beginning of Free Practice 2 at this 2026 DTM weekend at the Red Bull Ring, they couldn’t keep their pace gaining back their spot towards the end of the table.

Mercedes as the strongest contender so far

As this session served as a qualifying simulation, it therefore suggested that Mercedes could dominate the front of the grid, while McLaren sat close behind, with only hundredths separating the top five drivers. When the chequered flag fell, Auer secured the session for Mercedes, with Gounon and Engel completing the top three, as Dörr prevented a full Mercedes lockout by finishing ahead of Kalender, who placed the fourth Mercedes in P5.