TGI Team by GRT contested the DTM season finale at the Hockenheimring last weekend, from 9 to 11 October, in front of 112,000 spectators. The Lamborghini Squadra Corse-supported team from Austria aimed to end the Lamborghini Temerario GT3’s debut season in the prestigious championship on a high. Following promising practice performances by the two Lamborghini Factory Drivers, Mirko Bortolotti and Maximilian Paul, the team secured a strong result in the first race on Saturday. The Italian fought for victory until the end and celebrated second place in the 21-driver DTM field. After a qualifying gamble failed to pay off, Maximilian Paul delivered a flawless performance in the midfield to climb from P20 to P13.

In fall conditions at the 4.574-kilometre Hockenheimring, Mirko Bortolotti and Maximilian Paul initially finished fourth and fifth in Friday’s wet second practice session. Saturday morning’s first qualifying session also took place in mixed conditions, with all competitive lap times set on wet tyres. Bortolotti secured a good starting position in sixth, while Paul’s gamble on slicks failed to pay off. The German switched to wet tyres towards the end, but there was not enough time to bring them into their operating window. As a result, he qualified in P20.

The first race over a distance of 55 minutes plus one lap took place in the afternoon in dry conditions. Bortolotti kept his cool during the turbulent opening stages and gained three positions. During the pit stop window, the 36-year-old once again executed the overcut perfectly, waiting until lap 19 to change tyres. This reduced his gap to the leader from more than four seconds to two. During the second stint, he closed to within one second, but could not get close enough to launch an attack. Second place after 36 laps gave him his 19th DTM podium and GRT its 15th. Maximilian Paul opted for a different strategy. He also gained three places at the start and moved into the points in P15 on lap six. To find clear air in the midfield, he took the first opportunity to pit on lap 12. A controlled second half of the race was rewarded with 13th place.

Sunday proved more difficult for TGI Team by GRT in qualifying. On slicks in cold conditions with rain setting in, Mirko Bortolotti and Maximilian Paul could do no better than 17th and 19th on the grid. Strategy once again made the difference in the second race, which featured two mandatory pit stops. Bortolotti stayed out longer during the first pit stop window and moved up to P12 when he changed tyres on lap 14. Another overcut during the second round of pit stops gained him two further positions. He was classified tenth after 34 laps. Maximilian Paul stopped earlier on both occasions but was unable to capitalise. The 26-year-old finished in P17.

Following the DTM finale, TGI Team by GRT faces one final challenge in the 2026 motorsport season. This coming weekend, Mirko Bortolotti, Maximilian Paul and Franck Perera will race the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 in the season finale of the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup. The fifth and final round of the championship features a three-hour race in Portimão, Portugal.

#63 Mirko Bortolotti (ITA)
Qualifying 1: P6 – Race 1: P2
Qualifying 2: P17 – Race 2: P10

Mirko Bortolotti: “It’s fantastic to be back on the podium and finish the season on a high. A brilliant second place on Saturday and 26 points across the weekend are a great way to round off the year. It’s another really positive result and a well-deserved reward for all the hard work throughout the season.”

#19 Maximilian Paul (GER)
Qualifying 1: P20 – Race 1: P13
Qualifying 2: P19 – Race 2: P17

Maximilian Paul: “First and foremost, I’m happy to be up to pace after my accident. My left leg held up over the race distances without any problems, and I no longer have any limitations. Of course, the disappointing qualifying session on Saturday made things difficult, but I got the maximum out of the race and scored points. Given where I started, I can be satisfied with that. On Sunday, it was difficult to move forward. Despite everything, it was a positive end to the DTM season for me. Many thanks to the entire team and to TGI. It was great fun, even though we had a lengthy spell on the sidelines along the way. Everyone stood behind me, and that support made it possible for me to return so quickly. Now we’re looking ahead together.”

Gottfried Grasser, Team Principal: “It was a good end to the season for us with Mirko’s second place. We were in a good position after qualifying, and both driver and crew once again executed the race strategy perfectly. On Sunday, things were more difficult again with our package, but ultimately that was our story this season. The positive thing is that, as a team, we always gave everything and never let up. That also enabled us to make the impossible possible on a few occasions. And the real success story of this year was certainly Max’s comeback. His journey back into the car and being able to return to his previous level of performance was a highlight for all of us. But after the finale, our thoughts are obviously already on 2027. This year’s results were not satisfactory, and our aim is to fight for wins and championships again. Before we throw ourselves into planning, we have one final challenge to tackle this year in the Endurance Cup. We’re looking forward to Portimão and will give it everything once again.”