The start of the DTM weekend at the Red Bull Ring confirmed a highly competitive field, with Mercedes-AMG taking center stage in free practice. Lucas Auer, racing on home soil, stood out by leading the second session, which served as a qualifying simulation using the new Pirelli slick tyres.
Auer set the fastest lap of the day with a time of 1:28.204, showing early pace capable of putting him in contention for top positions. “Foi um bom início para o meu evento em casa. Vamos ver na primeira qualificação de sábado como nos damos com o novo pneu. Conduzir neste grande circuito é sempre muito especial para mim. As três primeiras curvas serão particularmente importantes nas corridas, pois são os melhores locais para ultrapassar”, said the Austrian driver.
Mercedes-AMG’s dominance was clear in this key session, with Jules Gounon and Maro Engel completing the top three, separated by just six thousandths of a second. A result that reinforces the German manufacturer’s consistency and positions it as the benchmark at the start of the season.
However, McLaren also had reasons to celebrate. Ben Dörr was the fastest in the opening free practice session in the morning, setting a lap of 1:28.567 and putting Dörr Motorsport at the top of the timesheets. “Trabalhámos muito e passei bastante tempo no carro. Isso deu frutos, pois estive melhor do que no ano passado. O traçado adapta-se a mim. Se o tempo estiver bom, poderemos ver a marca de 1:28.000 minutos ser batida na qualificação de sábado”, the driver explained.
Another highlight of the day was Tom Kalender, who placed a Mercedes-AMG in fifth overall and set the fastest time in the third free practice session in the afternoon, with a lap of 1:28.841. Meanwhile, Timo Glock, Dörr’s team-mate, ended the day in sixth place, remaining close to the top positions.
All three sessions took place under ideal conditions, with sunshine and stable weather at the 4.326-kilometre Austrian circuit. However, it was during the mid-session qualifying simulation that the fastest times were recorded, hinting at an intense battle for pole position.