Next weekend, October 8 to 10, the Norisring will host the finale of a spectacular DTM season that is hard to beat in terms of excitement. The Mercedes-AMG Team HRT, which will enter two cars in the event at the Nuremberg street circuit, still has a chance of winning the drivers' title of the highly competitive racing series.
Maximilian Götz (GER), who pilots the pink-blue #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 of team partner BWT, is third in the drivers' standings after seven rounds completed. A total of 56 championship points can be achieved in the two remaining heats at the 2.3-kilometer Norisring – in theory enough for Götz to make up his 26-point gap to the leader and secure the drivers' championship.
Vincent Abril (MCO) will take his place at the wheel of the #5 sister car, which as usual will start in the blue and yellow livery of team partner Bilstein. For the Monegasque, the goal in Nuremberg is to bring the season to a successful close and achieve a good final position in the drivers' standings.
The DTM is returning to the Norisring after a year off. The street circuit, also known as the "German Monte Carlo", is currently the only one of its kind in Germany – and therefore also in the DTM. In addition, modern GT3 cars will be on the grid for the first time in the circuit's long history. The combination of high-speed sections, tight corners and lack of run-off zones is likely to be a difficult challenge for one or two drivers.
Maximilian Götz, #4 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: "The DTM season has gone well for me so far and I am very grateful for what we have achieved as a team throughout the season. The drivers' championship is still up for grabs, but we need a perfect weekend and some race luck to make the title dream come true. I'll go into both races well prepared and give my all once again."
Vincent Abril, #5 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: "We're heading to the final DTM race weekend in Nuremberg full of anticipation and highly motivated and want to end the season successfully. I will do everything I can to deliver another strong performance there. And of course, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my teammate Maximilian Götz in his pursuit of the drivers' title."
Uli Fritz, Managing Director Haupt Racing Team GmbH: "It would be a great reward for our team to clinch the drivers' championship in our first-ever DTM season. Although we can't achieve the title on our own, we still reckon we have a good chance. Neither we nor our rivals have ever driven at the Norisring in current GT3 cars, so a lot can happen in the two races. In terms of excitement for all the fans, I'd like the championship to be decided no earlier than when the checkered flag drops on Sunday. We'll once again put everything on the line to score the necessary points. With a bit of luck, the 2021 DTM champion will be Maximilian Götz."
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. Formed in June 2020 by racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt, the team enjoys success in GT3 racing. HRT lines up with extended works support from Mercedes-AMG in many of the team's outings. The outings and cars are prepared in Meuspath, not far from the Nürburgring. HRT also has its own eSPORTS team in the professional sim racing sector and is a sought-after partner for motorsport events of all sorts. HRT can call on a host of experts with a wealth of motorsport and engineering experience, which the diverse motorsport company leverages when implementing technical development projects for and with its partners. The headquarters of Haupt Racing Team GmbH is Grünwald near Munich. The team owner is racing driver and businessman Hubert Haupt. As well as motorsport, Haupt is primarily known as a successful property developer. With his real estate company, he implements high-quality living and building concepts in southern Germany – from innovative buildings to complete districts.
