Assen – Race 1: Wittmann wins ahead of Bortolotti, Lawson new leader

While his race could have ended just after the start, Marco Wittmann showed great solidity in this first round of the Assen meeting to climb to the highest step of the podium.

Engaged in a tough battle against Mirko Bortolotti (T3 Motorsport) and especially Liam Lawson (AF Corse), the double champion received a 5-second penalty for a muscular overtake on the New Zealander less than a quarter of an hour from the checkerboard. . While provisionally in the lead, Marco Wittmann saw his second victory of the year elude him but that was without counting on the help of Mike Rockenfeller (ABT). The latter trapped by the safety car and obliged to go through the pits played the role of gap stopper in front of Liam Lawson which allowed the Walkenhorst Motorsport driver to take off.

His rival from AF Corse pushed back more than 5 seconds and Kelvin van der Linde (ABT), until now leader, forced to refuel, Marco Wittmann then only had to ensure to sign his second success of the season and completely restart the title race.

2nd for a long time behind the winner of the day, Liam Lawson finally finished on the last step of the podium after seeing Mirko Bortolotti slip under his nose two laps from the finish. Regardless of this result, the Kiwi becomes the new championship leader after Kelvin van der Linde's 13th place in the race. He is now 10 lengths ahead of the ABT driver and the winner of the day. Fourth on the line, Maximilian Götz (Team HRT) is 11 points behind Lawson.