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EXCLUSIVE: Arjun Maini On His GT Racing Career Till Now and his Ambitions for the Future

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Arjun Maini meets his fans during DTM Pre Season Test at the Red Bull Ring.
Arjun Maini during the DTM 2026 Pre Season Test at the Red Bull Ring. Credits: Group C Photography.

Arjun Maini is making a name for himself in the world of Sports Car Racing. Having started his GT3 career with Mercedes in their Junior Driver Program, Maini is currently a Ford Factory driver, making him India’s only Factory Driver. As he heads into his sixth season of DTM, Desi Racing Co sat down with him to ask him how it all started and what his ambitions for the future are.

The shift from Single Seaters to GT Racing

Q: How did it all start with DTM?

Arjun: So, it was around the time when my F2 campaign and the hunt for the F1 ended, and we were looking at, like, okay, how do we now sort of make a career out of what we’ve learned so far? And that was the main thing: to go professional. I did a year of LMP2 in ELMS, I did Le Mans one year and then towards the end of the year, and then we’re like, okay, the only way to really go professional, I mean, of course you can do like LMP2, ELMS, but then of course you’ll need like either the team funding you or a driver or whatever. But the only way to actually go professional is through a manufacturer. So that’s when Mercedes offered us the junior contract straight away in my first year, along with the DTM seat.

It was the way to get in, but I had a tough start to the season. I didn’t expect it to be so difficult because, coming from single-seaters, you expect that since you’ve raced against the best, you’ll be fine. You think, “Who are these guys?”

Then you get here and realise it’s a different level. Everyone has been through what we’ve been through, but they’ve also climbed the professional ladder. They aren’t just kids anymore; they’ve been hardened by years of racing.

That’s how the whole DTM opportunity came up. I wanted to make a career for myself in motorsport and realised that Formula 1 was a very long shot at that point. I actually only did one full season of F2, and I wanted to cut it short. I didn’t want to keep risking everything, running behind sponsors and trying to get the money together—all that headache for something that might or might not happen.

Instead, I wanted to build a stable life in motorsport. I hope a lot of talented young Indians realise at some point that while you should go out and chase your dreams, if you don’t have the funding or the political backing, you should try to find a career with the skills you have. That path is very overlooked in Indian motorsports, and it’s something I want to start putting out there: there is a career beyond Formula 1.

Q: You did the first year with Getspeed and then you moved to Haupt, and then you’ve been with Haupt for the five years now. So how is how has it been with HRT?

Arjun: They have been one of the biggest reasons I became fully professional. HRT guided me through those first years with Mercedes, which were tough. I remember having a really good end to my time with GetSpeed, but then I switched and things just weren’t clicking. Either I was messing up or something else was going wrong, but it absolutely wasn’t working.

I was getting stressed because I wanted that main factory contract; at the time, I was still on the junior one. At that stage, you’re still looking for sponsors to fully fund the drive, so I was really pushing for that full factory spot, but it just wasn’t going well. It was so frustrating because I would come close, only for it to slip away.

Ultimately, HRT really helped me. They guided me through it, and sooner or later, I had my full factory contract and was fully professional. A lot of that was thanks to HRT, though Mercedes obviously played a big hand in it as well with everything we did together. From there, the DTM story just carried on.

The move from Mercedes to Ford

Q: So you started DTM with Mercedes in GetSpeed, changed to Haupt again with Mercedes, and then Haupt moved from Mercedes to Ford. Was that also the reason you decided to move from Mercedes to Ford? Or was, like, two different things, but they just coincided together.

Arjun: It was, I could have stayed with Mercedes because, at that point, I had made my mark there. I had the option, and Mercedes was so good to me. However, the main reason I moved to Ford was that I really enjoyed the challenge of having a fresh car. Having been with HRT for so long, this felt like a great way for me to lead a program on the European side.

I was really intrigued by that challenge, which is why I chose to move, and I don’t regret the decision at all. It was a very challenging year in terms of results, but the amount I learned, what we overcame, and the improvement we made throughout the year has been incredible for me. I am so sure that we’re going to go even stronger this year.

I’m happy with the decision I made. It was tough at the time because you’re moving away from something you know works. I had just started getting podiums, fighting at the front, and getting toward the top of the championship, and then you move to something that probably won’t be quick in the first year. Eventually, though, it could become a great story. It was a difficult choice, but I have no regrets.

READ MORE: DTM 2024 Red Bull Ring: Arjun Maini’s best weekend with Pole and 2 Podiums

Q: Between the Mercedes and the Ford, what what was like the first time you drove a Ford and then you realized, okay, this is like, very different to Mercedes. What was that one thing?

We have to keep in mind that Mercedes had finished the whole development stage by this point. They had an Evo package recently—well, I say recently, but that was four or five years ago. It was fully past the development phase. Every time you went on track with a Mercedes, it was just one step of software or small damper adjustments, and usually they were right on the pace.

With the Ford, every time you went to a new track, especially the DTM tracks, it hadn’t been there before. You were trying to reinvent the wheel overnight because it wasn’t behaving as you expected it to behave. Both are front-engine cars, so that was a big similarity, but the Ford is much more powerful on the straights. That makes it much more fun to race with.

EXCLUSIVE: Arjun Maini On His GT Racing Career Till Now and his Ambitions for the Future
Arjun Maini testing the new Ford Mustang GT3 at DTM’s Pre Season test at Oschersleben 2025 – Photo: Group C Photography

To drive the Ford, it is of course not as finished a product, but it is much more enjoyable, especially in a race situation. In terms of ultimate pace, we haven’t been as strong as Mercedes so far. There were a few tracks where we were very strong this year, which surprised us as well because we were not expecting it. After Oschersleben, when we finished qualifying, we thought none of these tracks were going to suit us, but even at Zandvoort we had pace that was not bad at all. It was surprising.

In terms of driving, it is a nice car to drive. It is just missing that little bit of overall grip. With a few changes here and there, which I think we will get with the Evo package, we should be very competitive now.

Arjun on his brother Kush Maini

Q: Do you speak to Kush when he’s driving Formula E? Do you guys exchange thoughts about what’s going on and things like that?

Arjun: Yes, we do. We’ve seen each other very little this year, which has been a bit annoying, but he gets along quite well with the Formula E car and enjoys his time there. It’s very different because there’s a lot more you have to do in terms of energy management and similar tasks. Actually, a lot of that is probably going to be implemented into Formula 1 now with the new rules. So, we do speak about it. It’s nice to hear and understand the technology, but it just doesn’t excite me as much as what I’m doing now.

Q: You were there when Kush was testing the Alpine car after the Abu Dhabi season. How was it seeing your brother test a Formula 1 car, especially since he is only the fourth Indian driver to actually do that?

That was really cool; it was amazing. I think he did a great job. It was a good outing and amazing to see. I remember walking up to the hotel and seeing him come past in the car. It was lap one, and as he was coming into the corner, I was thinking, “Okay, lap one. Take it easy, dude.” But he fully sent it through the hotel section. I was like, “Okay, please don’t crash this thing now, because then it’s over.” It was quite cool, and it is amazing to see it happen. We’ve always grown up racing together in our younger years, we’ve always been close, and we talk about everything. And now, to finally see him in an official session with an F1 car was amazing.

Arjun Maini on Ajith Kumar and how it gives a boost to Indian Motorsports

Q: What are your thoughts on Ajith Kumar stepping into the Sports Car Racing world?

I think it’s amazing. It’s fantastic that somebody of his stature is coming into endurance racing, spreading the love for it, and bringing a whole different audience into this sport. For me, it’s amazing. I really hope that the people who join and watch end up staying, loving the sport, and supporting the youngsters.

As a country, that is what we lack; we are ready to support people when they are already at the top, but we don’t really help with the buildup and support process on the way up. That could make a big difference. For example, if a young kid in Formula 3 trying to get into Formula 1 has 300,000 followers instead of 50,000, he’s going to get more sponsorship, which helps him move up. Politically and in every other way, you are positioned much better.

I hope people realize the power they have. Indians have a lot of power in making the next Indian Formula 1 driver. It might be hard for them to believe or might not make as much sense, but the people have a lot of power in making that happen. As soon as there is a market where you can sell a driver, there is a big push. It’s a different world. I really hope that through this, through our work, and through everything happening in Indian motorsports now, all the young people coming up can get a big push to help develop them.

I think you met Ajith as well. He was at one of the GT World Challenge Europe weekends. How was that meeting? Did you guys talk about anything specific, or just in general?

Just in general, talking about racing. You can see how much he loves the sport. It’s cool to see that he’s so motivated to race as much as he does in such cool races. It was nice to catch up with him. It’s difficult to go into his box in the paddock itself because it’s surrounded by people, so we had to meet in the hotel afterward.

It was a great chat. I have huge respect for whatever he’s doing for the sport. Again, I just hope that more people like him come in so we can push our sport to become more famous in India—motorsport as a whole. Like we spoke about, whether it’s endurance racing, formula cars, rallying, MotoGP, or anything else, there is so much potential in this country, and I just hope it’s realized.

What does the future hold for Arjun Maini?

Q: With Ford joining WEC in Hypercar, is that somewhere you see yourself ending up?

Arjun: Yeah, it would be a dream for me. That is my goal: to be in the hypercar. I think I’ve said it quite a few times that it is my dream. Whether it’s going to happen straight away or not, I don’t know. If it doesn’t, I’m still relatively young in the endurance racing world. I have years ahead, and I would be happy to carry on and establish my place for another three or four years in GT3 if I have to. Eventually, I want to be in a hypercar on the grid. That’s definitely the goal. Whether it happens or not, I don’t know yet. At the moment, all I can do is my job. I’ll try to get some results this year with the package that I have, and then we’ll see what the future brings. To be in Le Mans in the top class is the ultimate dream for me.

Q: You said when you made the decision to jump from single-seaters to sports cars, you thought about where it would put you in a few years’ time. Now, it’s been six or seven years since you’ve been doing sports cars. When you made that switch and had that thought about the future, do you think you’re there yet?

The first goal of any driver who makes this switch is to become professional. You want to get paid by a manufacturer to race cars, where you’re not relying on sponsorship or money and you have stability in your racing. From that point of view, I’m happy where I am. But, of course, there’s always that hunger for more. So yes, I feel like I’ve made the right decision. I am racing professionally for a big car manufacturer, but I want more. I want to be in Le Mans and I want to win the biggest races. From that point of view, I haven’t “made it” yet, but in general, I can be very happy with how far I’ve come. I think I made the right decision at the right time.


That concludes our conversation with Arjun Maini. Arjun serves as a vital example that a motorsport career doesn’t have to be “F1 or bust.” While the dream is often centered on those 20 seats, the immense investment of time and capital can quickly result in nothing if that narrow goal isn’t met. As Arjun highlighted, the primary objective should be professional stability. To build a lasting career in racing, more drivers must realize the value of finding a path where they are paid for their talent, rather than chasing a long shot.


Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/XInstagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

DTM

DTM Norisring Review: Jordan Pepper Takes Maiden DTM Win, Thomas Preining Picks Up his First Win of 2025, Arjun Maini Continues to Rise

At the only street circuit on DTM calendar, chaos was expected, and chaos was delivered.

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Start of DTM Race 2 in Norisring
Photo: Gruppe C Photography

As DTM made its way to the Norisring, the only street circuit on the calendar did not disappoint. Jordan Pepper and Thomas Preining picked up wins in Race 1 & 2, respectively, on the streets of Nuremberg. Ferrari had their best weekend of the season and picked up a double-podium finish on Sunday. Arjun Maini’s rich form continues, and the HRT Team continue to make progress.

Jordan Pepper Delivers a Commanding Performance on Saturday

Jordan Pepper’s form shows no signs of slowing down, as the South African wins his first DTM race to become the sixth race winner of the 2025 season. Pepper achieved this feat just one week after his 24 Hours of Spa success. Pepper picked up pole position earlier that day and converted pole to win by driving a near-flawless race. Pepper’s race win seemed skeptical only at one point – when he lost time in the pits due to a rear-right tire issue. However, he had made up enough time in his first stint to take the win.

DTM Norisring Review: Jordan Pepper Takes Maiden DTM Win, Thomas Preining Picks Up his First Win of 2025, Arjun Maini Continues to Rise
Jordan Pepper wins Race 1 of DTM at Norisring 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

“It was the longest 55 minutes of my life” – Said Pepper

Thomas Preining finished in second place, just three seconds behind Pepper. Maro Engel returned to the podium despite an opening lap collision with Nicki Thiim. Thiim spun and finished the race last in 20th; however, the incident was deemed a racing incident by the stewards. Arjun Maini pushed his Ford Mustang to its limits and had an intense battle with three-time DTM champion Rene Rast, where he put up a strong defence. Maini finished the race in P8 while Rast drove a brilliant recovery from P17 to P10.

Mirko Bortolotti had a heated battle with Marco Whittman, which involved several instances of contact between the Lamborghini and BMW. This led to a warning for Whittman, and both drivers finished out of the top 15. Fabio Scherer could not start the race due to a massive crash in qualifying earlier. Timo Glock reported a power issue, and Aston Martin driver Gilles Magnus scored his first points of the season with a P12 finish.

Thomas Preining Wins Chaotic Sunday Race

Flawless strategy by the Manthey EMA team meant that Preining picked up his first win of the season in Nuremberg. Starting from sixth on the grid, Preining beat Ferrari drivers Jack Aitken and Thierry Vermeulen to clinch the win. The Emil Frey pair finished P2 and P3 to round up a double podium for Ferrari.

DTM Norisring Review: Jordan Pepper Takes Maiden DTM Win, Thomas Preining Picks Up his First Win of 2025, Arjun Maini Continues to Rise
Thomas Preining wins Race 2 of DTM at Norisring 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

The race started with a massive incident at turn 1 involving Marco Whittman, Mirko Bortolotti, Nicki Thiim and Jules Gounon. The incident forced all 4 drivers to retire and red-flag the race. The race restarted under a safety car, where polesitter Vermeulen maintained the lead from Aitken and Preining, who had jumped from sixth to third in the first start.

A full-course yellow was called when Fabio Scherer suffered a loose wheel. This caused another accident, where Tom Kalender’s Mercedes was hit from the back by Magnus’s Aston Martin while he slowed down to meet the delta time. This caused both drivers to retire from the race.

“That would’ve been the usual braking point. I don’t know what the other driver was thinking, but it happened. You can’t just vanish into thin air. It was a typical racing incident.” – Said Kalender

The race was won by the Manthey team’s pit crew. Preining was closing in on Aitken, trailing the Ferrari driver by less than a second. A faster stop by the Manthey team put Preining right on Aitken’s tail, and since he had pitted a lap before Aitken, warmer tires allowed him to take the lead of the race. Maro Engel finished fourth ahead of Arjun Maini. Rene Rast salvaged P7.

Arjun Maini Continues to Progress Upwards

After a few incredible comeback drives earlier this year, Maini qualified P2 in the Group A qualifying on Sunday and finished P5. He took part in a heated battle with Rene Rast on Saturday and finished the race in P8. This was Maini’s best weekend so far in 2025, on a track not easy to drive due to its tight street circuit nature. Half of the season done and now familiar with his new car, Maini will be eyeing a podium finish in the coming races.

DTM Norisring Review: Jordan Pepper Takes Maiden DTM Win, Thomas Preining Picks Up his First Win of 2025, Arjun Maini Continues to Rise
Arjun Maini during DTM Norisring 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Championship Standings

The DTM driver’s standings show drastic changes after every race weekend; however, Lucas Auer continues to lead. Thomas Preining and Jordan Pepper jump up the standings to P2 and P3 while being tied at 102 points each, thanks to their wins. Jack Aitken also moves up to P4 level with Maro Engel at 101 points. Zandvoort Race winners Rast and Guven fall to P6 and P8. Jules Gounon sits at P7 with 88 points. Arjun Maini moves up to P14.

Mercedes’ lead over Porsche shrinks by 10 points. Lamborghini, Ferrari and BMW fight for P3 in the standings with 174, 167 and 161 points respectively. Manthey extends their lead to Winward Racing.

Nurburgring Up Next

DTM will return in five weeks’ time to the Nurburgring on 8-10 August. Jordan Pepper, high on confidence and in great form, will look to grab big points. Lucas Auer, after a brilliant start, will want to pick up the pace again for the latter half of the season and look to return to the podium. After coming ever so close to victory, Ferrari will look to push towards the top step of the podium. Having won two races this season, Guven will look to make up places in the standings.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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DTM Zandvoort Review: Rene Rast, Ayhancan Guven Victorious as Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday to Achieve his Best Result Yet in 2025:

Rain spices things up for DTM inZandvoort as Rast and Guven take race wins. Meanwhile Arjun Maini orchestrates a comeback drive on Sunday.

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DTM Zandvoort Review: Rene Rast, Ayhancan Guven Victorious as Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday to Achieve his Best Result Yet in 2025:
Image Credits: Gruppe C Photography

Zandvoort saw top-tier racing and incredible DTM action. The weekend saw intermittent rainfall and therefore, unpredictable results. Underdogs such as Nicki Thiim and Max Paul had success, while the favourites like Lucas Auer, Jordan Pepper and Maro Engel would’ve hoped for better results.

Guven Holds his Composure in a Rain-Affected Chaotic Saturday Race

Strategy played a key role in Saturday’s race as the sun played hide and seek. Jordan Pepper showed exceptional skill during qualifying to secure pole position in tricky wet conditions. However, he failed to convert pole to win due to a strategy mishap. Pepper delayed his pitstop to avoid the crowded pit lane once the pit window opened. Later, when he did come into the pits, a slow stop meant that he lost the lead of the race. Maro Engel had a disappointing race, finishing P9, starting from P2. At the race start, he lost a couple of positions to Luca Engstler and Ayhancan Guven. Later in the race, Engel entered the pit lane one lap too early, before the pit window opened, due to a suspected radio miscommunication. This was effectively a drive-through and cost him the race.

DTM Zandvoort Review: Rene Rast, Ayhancan Guven Victorious as Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday to Achieve his Best Result Yet in 2025:
Start of Race 1 at Zandvoort, DTM 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Ayhancan Guven held his composure amidst the chaos and drove an excellent race to secure only his second DTM win, after his first at Oschersleben. Nicki Thiim and Max Paul finished P2 and P3, both starting from outside the top 10 thanks to a daring strategy. Thiim and Paul started the race on slicks and lost nearly 30 seconds to the leaders in the first 5 laps, however, a late stop allowed them to retain track position, and they cashed in their advantage to finish on the podium. Morris Schuring and Marco Whittmann fought till the end, with Schuring crossing the line just 0.017 seconds ahead of Whittmann to secure P5.

DTM Zandvoort Review: Rene Rast, Ayhancan Guven Victorious as Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday to Achieve his Best Result Yet in 2025:
Ayhancan Guven wins Race 1 at Zandvoort, DTM 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

“It was a crazy race today. I got off to a good start and battled with Luca [Engstler], then we had a really good pitstop. The strategy was excellent too, but given the conditions, it was definitely walking a fine line.” – Said Guven

The race also saw multiple collisions and pit stop drama. Timo Glock made contact with Gilles Magnus’s Aston Martin, which sent him into a massive rally-style drift into the gravel. He did well to keep the car out of the barriers; however, a puncture meant that he had to retire from the race. Three-time DTM champion Rene Rast made contact with the barriers not once, but twice! Among other retirements, Arjun Maini too suffered an unfortunate retirement in his Ford.

BMW Dominates on Sunday for a 1-2 Finish

After a chaotic Saturday, Race 2 was comparatively uneventful. Rene Rast started from pole and drove an excellent race to convert it into a win. Marco Whittmann celebrated his 200th DTM race with a P2 finish and a 1-2 for BMW and Schubert Motorsport. Whittmann had a good start and straight away overtook Jack Aitken’s Ferrari in the first corner of the first lap to put himself in P2. Later, he piled on the pressure in the closing laps; however, Rast was successful in keeping him behind.

DTM Zandvoort Review: Rene Rast, Ayhancan Guven Victorious as Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday to Achieve his Best Result Yet in 2025:
Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann at the podium after getting a 1-2 for BMW Schubert Motorsport, DTM 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

“I was clearly faster towards the end, I could attack, but it just wasn’t enough” – Said Whittmann

Jack Aitken and Thomas Preining had a fierce battle for 3rd; however, they could not keep up with the 2 BMWs. Preining emerged victorious from the battle to round up the podium. Maro Engel had a much better race, as compared to Saturday, and made up 7 places to finish P5. Fabio Scherer suffered a driveshaft problem, due to which he retired before the start of the race. Saturday’s polesitter Jordan Pepper suffered a DNF after a puncture due to contact with Thierry Vermeulen’s Ferrari.

Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday

After a disappointing result on Saturday, Arjun Maini bounced back on Sunday and drove a brilliant race in his new team. This also showed positive signs for the HRT team as well as Arjun Maini as they continue to familiarize themselves with the new car. A few weeks earlier, at Lausitzring, Maini showed promising signs with a brilliant drive from P20 to P12. This weekend at Zandvoort, starting from P16, he made up 6 places to achieve his best finish so far in 2025, driving the new Ford Mustang. This included his incredible battle with the McLaren of Ben Dorr, where none of the two drivers seemed too yield. However, Maini kept his head down and made the overtake stick. Maini and the team hope to continue this upward trend and hope to be fighting at the front of the field soon.

DTM Zandvoort Review: Rene Rast, Ayhancan Guven Victorious as Arjun Maini Shines on Sunday to Achieve his Best Result Yet in 2025:
Arjun Maini battling it out during Race 2 at Zandvoort, DTM 2025 – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Championship Standings

A race win for Ayhancan Guven and Rene Rast propelled them into the top 3 in the driver’s championship. Lucas Auer continues to lead with 91 points, followed by Rast at 75 and Guven at 73. Jules Gounon and Maro Engel are close behind at 73 and 72 points, respectively. Arjun Maini currently sits at 17th in the standings.

Manthey leads the team’s standings with 145 points. After a brilliant Sunday for Schubert Motorsport, they close the gap to Winward Racing as both teams are at 139 points. Mercedes maintains a healthy gap of 30 points in the manufacturer’s standings. Porsche is in 2nd with 152 points, followed closely by BMW at 142 and Lamborghini at 137.

Month-long Break Until Norisring

After an incredible weekend at Zandvoort, DTM resumes on 4-6 July at Norisring. Norisring is the only street circuit on the DTM calendar. Championship leader Lucas Auer will look to bounce back after failing to secure a podium at Zandvoort. Maro Engel will also hope to fight at the front for a win. Guven and Rast will enter the weekend with loads of confidence after their wins and will look to close the gap to the top of the standings.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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DTM Lausitzring: Jordan Pepper Leads Heading into Lausitz

As DTM heads to Lausitzring, Jordan Pepper leads while Auer and Guven come with confidence after taking wins in the last round.

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DTM Lausitzring: Jordan Pepper Leads Heading into Lausitz
Image Credits: Gruppe C Photography

DTM is all set to make a stop at the DEKRA Lausitzring this weekend for Round 2 of the championship. The South African Jordan Pepper is leading the championship, but race winners Lucas Auer and Ayhancan Guven come into this weekend with lots of confidence. Let’s see who comes out on top at Lausitzring.

READ MORE: Auer and Güven Shine as DTM Kicks Off in Oschersleben

Jordan Pepper Looking for his First Win of the Season

Jordan might be leading the championship, but the Lamborghini driver did not win any races last time out. Thanks to his consistent qualifying and race results, the South African has managed to get the most points of anyone and take the championship lead. For Jordan, the goal this weekend would be to repeat that form and continue to get consistent points on the board, although he would not be completely opposed to getting some wins while he is at it.

DTM Lausitzring: Jordan Pepper Leads Heading into Lausitz
Jordan Pepper during Round 1 of DTM in Oschersleben – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Auer and Guven Carrying Momentum from Last Round

For Lucas Auer, Race 1 last time around was perfect as he started from Pole and was in control throughout to take the win when the chequered flag dropped. Guven too, impressed everyone by executing the perfect strategy to become the first ever winner, a Turkish driver to win in DTM. Both these drivers are on 34 points, just 3 behind the championship leader Jordan Pepper.

DTM Lausitzring: Jordan Pepper Leads Heading into Lausitz
Ayhancan Güven during the Round 1 of DTM at Oschersleben – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

“I won my first DTM race at the Lausitzring in 2016; that was something of a breakthrough. The track is technically demanding, but also really cool to drive,” said Auer.

Arjun Maini and HRT are familiarising themselves with the Mustang

Both Arjun and HRT have been long-time associated with Mercedes, so shifting to Ford this year was a bold move. The new kid on the block is still getting to grips with the German team. Last weekend, Arjun was the quickest Ford of the two and also helped the American manufacturer score a point on debut. This weekend, the team and the Indian driver would be looking to build on the experience they have gained and hopefully move up in the grid. With the BoP balancing out the manufacturers in DTM, one can expect them to challenge for the top 10, if not for podiums and wins.

DTM Lausitzring: Jordan Pepper Leads Heading into Lausitz
Arjun Maini during the DTM Round 1 at Oschersleben – Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Schedule and Where to Watch DTM in India

You can watch all the sessions of DTM live on Fancode with a weekend pass for just this weekend or a full season pass for the full DTM season. The complete schedule in IST is given below.

DTM Lausitzring: Jordan Pepper Leads Heading into Lausitz

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/XInstagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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