DTM growth remained a central topic as Maro Engel and Jules Gounon considered how the championship could build on its strong crowds and competitive racing. Both Mercedes-AMG Performance Drivers believed the series still had opportunities to reach a wider audience. While they praised the atmosphere at the circuits and the accessibility of the racing, Engel…
Maro Engel and Jules Gounon brought years of shared experience and success into their DTM partnership at Winward Racing with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, but neither driver believed that familiarity had stopped them from learning from one another. The Mercedes-AMG Performance Drivers had competed together in some of endurance racing’s biggest events and developed a close friendship…
Jules Gounon delivered a record-breaking performance to secure pole position for the second DTM race at the Nürburgring, beating Ben Dörr and Saturday winner Matteo Cairoli in a tightly contested Qualifying 2. The Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter driver set a 1:25.062 to establish a new DTM qualifying record around the Nürburgring sprint circuit. Gounon beat Dörr…
Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella delivered Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing its first overall GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe victory in Race 1 at Magny-Cours. The No. 3 Mercedes-AMG controlled the race from pole position before Juncadella resisted late pressure from Arthur Leclerc to win by 2.597 seconds. Thomas Neubauer and Leclerc charged from ninth on…
Jules Gounon secured pole position for the opening GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe Sprint Cup race at Magny-Cours after setting the benchmark during Qualifying 1. The Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing driver recorded a 1:36.023 in the first half of the split qualifying session. Kiern Jewiss came closest to beating him during Q1B but finished 0.166…
Jules Gounon claimed pole position for the second GTWC Europe Sprint Cup race at Misano after leading a tightly contested Qualifying 2 session. The Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing driver set a 1:32.017 to beat Kelvin van der Linde by only 0.057 seconds, while Kobe Pauwels completed the top three just 0.068 seconds away from pole….
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…
The 2026 DTM season opened at the Red Bull Ring with a weekend that offered early direction without delivering firm conclusions. Across Free Practice, Qualifying and Races 1 and 2, the 2026 DTM drivers produced a mixed competitive picture shaped by pace, strategy, Balance of Performance changes, tyre management, and execution under pressure. Mercedes-AMG emerged…
Jules Gounon looked on course for a major result in the opening DTM race at the Red Bull Ring before a late technical issue abruptly ended his charge. The Frenchman had driven a calm, controlled race to put himself firmly in contention at a crucial stage, closing in on Thomas Preining with clear momentum on…
The opening day of 2026 GTWC Europe track action at Circuit Paul Ricard delivered three distinct but closely connected sessions, each offering valuable insight into the competitive order ahead of race day. Firstly, Giacomo Petrobelli led the Bronze Test with a narrow margin, setting the tone for a tightly packed field. Subsequently, Jules Gounon placed…
