At the DTM season highlight at the Norisring (4^th to 6^th July), the TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT supported by Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse experienced a rollercoaster ride of emotions. With a commanding lights-to-flag victory in race one, Jordan Pepper celebrated his first success in this high-class racing series in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 #63 and, after another top ten result on Sunday, now lies third in the championship standings. Team-mate Luca Engstler, on the other hand, had to retire from both races after unforced incidents and unfortunately missed out on scoring any points this weekend.

Jordan Pepper laid the foundation for his later success in the first qualifying session, which was held in two groups on the 2.261 km city circuit in Nuremberg. With a lap time of 48.467 seconds, the South African secured pole position for the first race and set a new lap record through the process. Starting from 13^th on the grid, his teammate Luca Engstler also secured a good starting position in the battle for championship points in the sister car with start number 19.

At the start of the first race of the weekend, Pepper maintained his lead in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 and quickly extended his advantage over his competitors on the fast street circuit. By the time the mandatory pit stop came around, Pepper had built up a lead of just under five seconds over the second-placed car. Even after the stop, the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 #63 successfully fended off all attacks from its rivals on cold tyres. In the final stages, the 28-year-old controlled his lead. After 65 laps, he finally crossed the finish line as the winner, celebrating his maiden victory in the DTM. Team-mate Luca Engstler in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 #19 started the race from 13^th on the grid, but lost a few positions in the traditionally tight and competitive opening stages at the Norisring. Shortly after the halfway point of the race, Engstler was pushed by a competitor in the battle for points in the Dutzendteichkehre section and hit the track barrier. Due to the damage, the young driver from the Allgäu region had to retire from the race.

Jordan Pepper started Sunday’s race from ninth on the grid, once again with good prospects of a top finish. The race was initially interrupted due to an incident at the rear of the field. After the restart, Pepper fought hard for positions throughout the race but couldn’t make any significant gains due to the success weight he had to carry from his victory the previous day. Finishing ninth, the newly crowned DTM winner was once again the best-placed Lamborghini and scored important championship points. After this weekend, he is now third in the championship standings, just seven points behind the leader and level on points with the second-placed driver. Luca Engstler was once again the unlucky driver of the race. After the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 #19 with Engstler at the wheel had already worked its way up nine positions in this turbulent race, it was involved in an unforced collision with another car. This resulted in a puncture, which once again meant an early end for the #19. Luca Engstler is now in twelfth place in the drivers‘ standings, while TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT is now fifth in the team standings.

In just under a month, the DTM will be attending at the legendary Nürburgring (4^th to 6^th August), where races seven and eight will conclude the first half of the season.

Jordan Pepper (RSA)

#63 TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT

Qualifying 1: P1 – Race 1: P1

Qualifying 2: P9 – Race 2: P9

Jordan Pepper: „I am obviously very happy about the entire race weekend. With my first victory in the DTM, a dream has come true. With pole position and race victory, I was able to take home the full 28 points. It all still feels a bit surreal. First the victory at Spa, now my first victory in the DTM. The team did a really great job – from the first practice session to the last race. We were able to take home some important points and reduce the gap to the top of the standings from 25 points to seven. We could have picked up a few more points in Sunday’s race; I had hoped for a little more. But with the weight of success, it wasn’t easy. Nevertheless, I’m going into the short break feeling extremely satisfied and hope that we’ll be just as strong in the second half of the season.“

Luca Engstler (GER)

#19 TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT

Qualifying 1: P13 – Race 1: DNF

Qualifying 2: P21 – Race 2: DNF

Luca Engstler: „It was a weekend where you go home with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’m really happy for Jordan and the team about their first win of the season. On the other hand, unfortunately, I had two unforced retirements, which obviously hurt a lot. After all the great work, the team didn’t deserve to leave without a finish or any points. It’s very frustrating for everyone involved. Now we have to look ahead and focus on the next races.“

Gottfried Grasser, Teamchef GRT: „All in all, it was a very good weekend for the team. Jordan’s performance was truly sensational. With pole position, the lap record and the win, he got the maximum out of it. Of course, with the BoP and the additional weight, you have to expect a slightly more difficult race on Sunday. But we took home some valuable points and are now within striking distance of the championship leader at the midpoint of the season.“ That is obviously a huge motivation for the team. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the right balance with Luca. On this track, if you are a few tenths off the pace, you are immediately a bit behind. Unfortunately, incidents like this happen in racing. A double retirement like this obviously hurts. All we can say is: keep your heads up and prepare for the next race. We are really looking forward to the next event at the Nürburgring.“