Luca Engstler claimed his maiden DTM pole position in a dramatic, rain-affected Qualifying 1 at the Hockenheimring, delivering a historic result for both ABT Sportsline and Lamborghini ahead of the penultimate race of the 2026 season.
The German set a lap time of 1:47.048 in challenging wet conditions, claiming the top spot ahead of Lucas Auer in second and championship leader Thomas Preining in third. With just two minutes remaining in the 20-minute session, Engstler displaced Preining at the top of the timesheets before Auer also moved ahead of the Porsche driver.
The result marked several milestones. Alongside Engstler’s pole position in the DTM, it was the first for the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 and his first since joining ABT Sportsline. It also ended the team’s pole position drought dating back to the Hockenheim finale and marked the first DTM pole for a driver from the Allgäu region with ABT since 2003. The unpredictable conditions played a significant role throughout qualifying, with several teams experimenting with slick tyres before wet-weather tyres emerged as the stronger choice. Engstler and ABT made the most of their strategy to secure pole position at a crucial moment in the session.
Speaking to Pit Debrief after Qualifying 1, Engstler reflected on his historic achievement, the importance of his team’s strategy and his expectations for the opening race of the DTM season finale.
Engstler credits ABT’s strategy for maiden pole position in Qualifying 1 at the Hockenheimring
Engstler had every reason to celebrate following a qualifying session in which changing track conditions made tyre selection and timing particularly important. While several drivers struggled to find the right window for their fastest laps, Engstler delivered when it mattered most. His late effort secured the fastest time of the session and gave ABT Sportsline its first DTM pole position in nearly two years. Asked how pleased he was with his performance and what contributed to the impressive result, the German praised the collective effort behind his success.
“Yes, absolutely delighted, of course. A brilliant lap, a good strategy from the team – I’m just so happy.”
The achievement represented a significant moment for Engstler, who will now have the opportunity to convert his first DTM pole position into a race victory.
A strong starting position, but a challenging race ahead
Although Engstler secured the best possible starting position in DTM Qualifying 1 at the Hockenheimring, he remained aware of the challenges awaiting him in Saturday’s race. With Auer alongside him on the front row and Preining starting directly behind in third, the German faces immediate competition from drivers with plenty at stake in the championship battle.
The tightly contested grid also leaves little room for mistakes, particularly if the unpredictable weather continues to influence conditions at the Hockenheimring. When asked how much confidence his pole position gave him ahead of the race, Engstler acknowledged the advantage of starting at the front while emphasising that the result remained far from decided. Despite his qualifying success Engstler recognised that maintaining the lead over the course of the race would present a different challenge.
“Yes, I think it’s obviously always the best starting position, but we’ve still got a long hour ahead of us and it’s going to be exciting.”
Engstler promises respect for championship contenders
Engstler’s pole position places him directly in the middle of an intense championship battle, with several drivers still fighting for the 2026 DTM title. Preining enters the race as championship leader and starts third, while fellow title contenders Maro Engel and Marco Wittmann face more difficult starting positions in seventh and eleventh, respectively. With important championship points at stake, the opening laps could prove particularly significant for those fighting for the title.
Engstler, however, approaches the race with a different perspective. With no championship title on the line for himself, the German can focus on achieving the best possible result without the same pressure as his rivals. Asked whether the presence of championship contenders behind him could make the start particularly risky, Engstler stressed the importance of mutual respect on track.
“I don’t think it’s risky for me – I’ve got nothing to lose – but of course there’s no real risk in the championship itself. I think you have to show the necessary respect to everyone who’s competing for the championship. And naturally, I hope for the same myself one day, when I’m competing in the championship.”
Race pace will determine Engstler’s victory chances
Having already achieved a historic qualifying result, Engstler now turns his attention towards securing a race victory at Hockenheim. While starting from pole gives him an advantage, the German knows that outright race pace will play a decisive role in determining whether he can remain ahead of his rivals. The uncertain weather conditions could add another layer of complexity, with teams potentially facing difficult strategic decisions as the race progresses. Asked what would be crucial to converting pole position into victory, Engstler identified consistent pace as the key factor while admitting that his team’s competitiveness over a full race distance remained uncertain.
“We need to set a good pace, and that’s what will make the difference. I can’t say yet whether we’ll be able to set that pace, but I’ll give it a go.”
With his first DTM pole position secured and a historic achievement already in the books for ABT Sportsline and Lamborghini, Engstler will look to build on his qualifying performance when the lights go out at Hockenheim. However, with championship contenders immediately behind him and unpredictable conditions remaining a potential factor, turning his maiden pole into victory promises to be anything but straightforward.
