Maro Engel and Jules Gounon head to Zandvoort for the second round of the 2026 DTM season with contrasting emotions after a mixed opening weekend at the Red Bull Ring.
The 2026 DTM season has already delivered plenty of intensity. The Red Bull Ring opened the campaign for the first time, with Thomas Preining taking victory in Race 1 as Engel completed the podium, while Gounon retired after late issues. Race 2 then brought a Mercedes-AMG Motorsport response, as Engel converted strong pace into victory and Gounon recovered to fourth.
Now the championship heads to Zandvoort for the second round of the season, where Engel and Gounon arrive in very different moods. While one carries momentum from a strong start to the year, the other is looking for a reset after disappointment at both the Red Bull Ring and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, both Mercedes-AMG Performance Drivers reflected on the early rhythm of the season, their expectations for Zandvoort, and the Balance of Performance discussion surrounding the weekend.
Engel embraces DTM return at Zandvoort
Engel arrives at Zandvoort in strong form after taking victory in Race 2 at the Red Bull Ring, with his recent Nürburgring 24 Hours success adding even more confidence as the championship heads into its second round of the season.
While the momentum is clearly on his side, the Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver is keeping his focus firmly on the challenge ahead. For Engel, a DTM weekend always brings a level of intensity he enjoys, and with Zandvoort offering another opportunity to fight at the front, he heads into the weekend looking to build on an already impressive start to the year.
“I think in general it’s always a very good feeling being at the DTM races because they’re exciting, they’re tough and so, you know, we have a strong team, a strong car and it’s great to be here and looking forward to the racing action this weekend.”
Gounon searches for a reset after early frustration
Gounon’s start to the season has carried a very different tone. Although his pace was clearly visible at the Red Bull Ring, the final result in Race 1 did not reflect the potential he had shown, as late drama forced him into retirement before he responded with a strong recovery drive to fourth in Race 2. The Nürburgring 24 Hours then brought another difficult moment, adding to a run that has not yet delivered the results he would have hoped for.
The Frenchman admitted that the past few weeks have been frustrating, especially when compared to Engel’s impressive start and recent successes. Even so, Gounon made it clear that his motivation remains high, stressing that DTM is still a championship he values deeply because of its competitive level and the satisfaction that comes when everything finally falls into place.
“Yeah, well, of course different than Maro, he had two great wins with the DTM and the 24 hours [Nürburgring]. For me, it was two times a bit of disappointment between the retirement in the Red Bull Ring and the retirement in the Nürburgring, but it’s okay, it’s like that.”
Gounon added that the format and quality of the field make every clean weekend feel meaningful.
“Like Maro said, I always really enjoy coming to DTM because it’s the top-notch of GT racing. It’s quali lap on quali laps for one hour, there is a huge level, and it’s always rewarding that when you know you do a good job because honestly the level is the highest you can get. So it’s a new opportunity this weekend and I hope I can have a good weekend to also forget a bit the last one.”
Maximising potential as the key target for Engel and Gounon at the DTM race weekend in Zandvoort
With Zandvoort presenting a very different challenge to the Red Bull Ring, success this weekend will not only be defined by trophies, even if a race win or podium remains the obvious target. In a field as tight as DTM, both Engel and Gounon know that execution can make the difference, with qualifying, strategy, pit stops and race management all playing a crucial role here at Zandvoort and at every other race track.
For Engel, the objective is clear every time the car leaves the garage. Rather than focusing on a fixed finishing position, he explained that the priority is to maximise the package, make the most of every session and ensure that no opportunity is left on the table across the weekend.
“Well, apart from winning both races, it would be maximising the potential we have that has to be the aim every single day in DTM. It’s like we said earlier it’s the strongest field in GT racing. All the top drivers have their own car, and you need to be on top of your game. So maximising the potential you have on every given day is what the aim is and if you can go home on Sunday night saying you did that then it’s been a good weekend.”
Gounon echoed Engel’s assessment, making clear that there was little more to add beyond the need to maximise every opportunity across the DTM weekend in Zandvoort.
“Exactly like Maro says there’s not much more to add”
Engel keeps focus on racing amid BoP debate
Heading into Zandvoort, teams are also discussing Balance of Performance (BoP), especially after organisers reportedly adjusted several cars following the opening weekend at the Red Bull Ring. With the Dutch circuit presenting a very different challenge, attention has naturally turned to whether those changes could influence the competitive order and play a role in how the weekend unfolds.
From Engel’s perspective, however, BoP was not something he wanted to dwell on too much. The Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver made it clear that his focus remains on the areas he and the team can control, from preparation and setup work to execution across qualifying and the races, rather than spending too much energy on factors outside their hands.
“I have no idea I haven’t looked at it and just yeah full trust on the ADAC it’s their job, and we just take care of the racing.”
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport duo trusts the process ahead of Zandvoort
Gounon shared a similar view, pointing out that BoP is ultimately something the drivers cannot control and therefore not an area worth overthinking. Instead, he highlighted how close the field already appeared at the Red Bull Ring, where small margins made a significant difference, and suggested that Zandvoort is likely to offer another tight and highly competitive weekend.
“Exactly like Maro said, I think it’s very important to focus on things that you can influence and the BoP actually we can’t. So it’s a bit like the weather, you need to wake up in the morning and see what’s the weather going to be like. It’s a bit the same for the BoP for us, but once again if you look at the competitiveness of the field in DTM, we can only highlight that the BoP has always been something amazing where the cars are very close and giving a huge show for the fans”
For Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, Zandvoort now becomes the next important test of the season. Engel arrives with momentum after a strong start to the year, while Gounon heads into the weekend looking to turn visible pace into the kind of result that has so far escaped him. Although their situations are different, both drivers approach the second round with the same mindset: focus on clean execution, trust the work behind the scenes, and maximise every opportunity in one of GT racing’s most competitive fields.
