Grasser Racing faces challenging home race in the DTM at Red Bull Ring

This past weekend saw the DTM make its stop at the Red Bull Ring – the home race for the Grasser Racing Team (GRT). In perfect weather conditions and with 41,000 enthusiastic fans in the stands, the Austrian team had high expectations. However, despite strong performances, the weekend did not bring the desired results.

The Red Bull Ring, nestled in the picturesque Styrian hills, is one of Europe's most renowned racetracks. At 4.318 kilometers in length with a total of eleven corners, the circuit challenges both drivers and vehicles alike. The combination of long straights and demanding corners, such as the infamous Remus Corner, offers numerous overtaking opportunities and guarantees exciting races. The track's significant elevation changes, totaling over 65 meters, make the Red Bull Ring a unique challenge in the DTM calendar.


Saturday: Collision sets Luca Engstler back
On Saturday, Luca Engstler lined up for GRT in the Mountain Wolf Lamborghini for the first race. Equipped with wet tires, he had a strong start, but the situation quickly turned. In the sixth minute of the race, Engstler was caught in a three-way battle and, due to a steering maneuver, was forced into the styrofoam barriers. The styrofoam became lodged in the front of his Lamborghini, and Engstler had to pit as the debris blocked the radiator. This unscheduled stop dropped him to the back of the field, but Engstler managed to fight his way back to P18. Despite this impressive recovery, no points were scored.

Sunday: Strong qualifying, technical failure ends race ambitions
On Sunday, Grasser Racing entered the day with renewed motivation. In the morning's qualifying session, Luca Engstler delivered an outstanding lap time, securing second place on the grid, just behind Mirko Bortolotti. The team was excited to start the race from such a strong position, and the 41,000 fans at the Red Bull Ring created a fantastic atmosphere.

In the race, Engstler showcased his skills, maintaining his second-place position for much of the event. With impressive pace and clear focus, he fought for a podium finish. As the pit stop window opened with 40 minutes remaining, the strategy was clear: bring Engstler in at the optimal moment to stay close to René Rast. However, disaster struck: a radio call from the team reported “low pressure, low battery.” A technical issue forced Engstler to bring the Lamborghini into the pits and retire from the race. With that, the dream of a podium finish at the home race was over, and GRT ended the weekend with a DNF.


Despite the disappointment, Grasser Racing remains determined. The team has demonstrated its potential to compete for top positions. With the season finale at Hockenheim in three weeks, GRT has one last opportunity to end the year on a high note. Luca Engstler and the entire team are highly motivated to give it their all. “We’re going to attack full force at Hockenheim and show that we can fight at the front,” is the team's rallying cry.

Fans can look forward to an exciting season finale where Grasser Racing, with their Mountain Wolf Lamborghini, will throw everything into the final battle.


Luca Engstler (GER)
#19 Lamborghini Team LIQUI MOLY by GRT
Qualifying 1: P7 - Race 1: P18
Qualifying 2: P2 - Race 2: DNF