The Lausitzingring is a circuit synonymous with the DTM having appeared on the schedule for over half of the series lifespan, and the Klettwig circuit is therefore a fitting venue for an historical weekend for the DTM as the paddock celebrates the 500th championship race.

First appearing on the calendar in 2000, the unique circuit combines stretches of the daunting ’EuroSpeedway’ oval that formerly hosted the CART series, with challenging infield sections. The circuit lends itself to overtaking opportunities, but with that comes the potential for race-ending drama.

The coming races at the Lausitzring will be crucial in the championship fight, as the season heads into its final three rounds.

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The Track

The 4.570km circuit represents a stark change from the twisty, narrow, and undulating Brands Hatch that the DTM visited two weeks ago. Instead the much-loved Lausitzring features long straights that are wide enough for cars to run near six-wide, and long-radius corners that open the possibility for multiple racing lines.

The grid on the flat speedway puts no side at a disadvantage, unlike the cambered Brands Hatch start, and so the field of 18 cars arrive at the tricky T1 together, funnelling down quickly through the tight T1-2 complex. On a hotlap drivers will arrive here at near 280kmh. The near-hairpin left at T1 opens up through an elongated right, before slowing through a series of long radius, switchback turns at T3, 4, and 5.

The left handed T5 leads cars over a slight bump and up onto the speedway, here, drivers will aim for the exterior wall to make use of as much track as possible.

Then it’s flat-out along a near 700m straight into a left-right switchback at T6 and 7. This sequence represents one of the best overtaking opportunities on the track.

This is followed by a 180º, 200m long left hander that opens onto another straight that displays the only real elevation change at the circuit as the track drops into another 180º corner, T9. This corner offers a unique challenge as drivers turn in at over 240kmh, despite a relatively short braking zone the corner represents an opportunity for overtaking, and for drivers to utilise different lines in an attempt to find lap time.

Another blast along to the much tighter T10 signals the final sector of the track, a much more technical affair.

The second gear right at T10 opens through a flat-out right hander into the final chicane at turns 12 and 13, where drivers make a complete switchback before planting the gas and rejoining the speedway for the final blast onto the start/finish straight.

At the final chicane the pitlane entry takes drivers off at T12 and through a challenging chicane, an opportunity to gain or lose time on the way to pit lane.

Last Year

This season the two races at the Lausitzring occupy increased championship importance due to a late slot on the DTM calendar, a contrast to 2018 when the circuit hosted the second round.

Mercedes scored both victories in 2018, with Edoardo Mortara scoring his penultimate DTM victory in a race that was red-flagged after René Rast was involved in a terrifying crash. The Audi driver was pushed sideways onto the grass on the exit of T8 before the right side bodywork dug into the grass, sending the Team Rosberg car somersaulting across the dirt.

The 2017 champion miraculously walked away from the incident only remarking that his elbow hurt a “little bit.” He would, however, sit out race two.

The Sunday race saw Gary Paffett hold off a charging BMW of Marco Wittmann to score his second win of the year.

What to expect

The DTM races at the Lausitzring offer the typical drama, and with plenty of open sections the opportunity for overtaking manoeuvres allows for that intense nature to increase another level.

Unlike some circuits that are more single file, the Lausitzring has multiple line corners that present the drivers a unique challenge of having to defend, or attack on a number of sections.

Such characteristics give drivers the opportunity to fight their way up through the grid as there are a number of overtaking hotspots around the lap. Expect a lowly qualifier to put it all on the line and climb forward in the race.

Similarly those who are fighting for the championship may opt out of going wheel to wheel with others, or may choose to go all-in on a move that may see them close the points deficit.

High temperatures are expected over the weekend which may put extra stresses on the tyres. The long radius corners are particularly demanding of the Hankook rubber, so the chances of alternative strategies is higher. Don’t be surprised if a number of drivers pit early, or if those struggling to maintain tyre life hit pitlane for a second stop.

Audi Sport Team Rosberg’s René Last holds on to a relatively stable 37 point advantage over fellow Audi driver Nico Müller, however the Abt Sportsline driver has been able to match his rival in recent races.

As time is running out Müller is in need of outscoring Rast this weekend, the Swiss driver will have to take risks across the two races at Lausitzring to close that championship gap.

Third in the standings, and best placed to disrupt the Audi battle, BMW Team RMG’s Marco Wittmann is a further 22 points adrift of Müller. The two-time DTM champion showed impressive performance at Brands Hatch, despite struggling on Sunday. However, Wittmann will need to put together a dominant weekend if he is to close the gap with only six races left.