Norisring – Race 2: Fraga triumphs ahead of new leader Bortolotti

After the massacre of Race 1, the instructions of the race directors were clearly heard and respected by the drivers. While there were only 11 of them who crossed the finish line on Saturday at the Norisring with numerous collisions, this Sunday, more of them finished the event. In Race 2, it was ultimately Felipe Fraga, who started in pole position, who managed to keep his lead to secure his first victory of the season. The Brazilian was able to exult on the podium after a series of difficult weekends. Behind him, Mirko Bortolotti tried everything to catch him, but he was unable to do anything. The second place of the GRT team driver allows him to become the new leader in the standings ahead of Sheldon van der Linde. 

At the start of the race, two drivers were missing. Indeed, due to damage to their cars, Esteban Muth and Franck Perera were unable to start. A big disappointment for the Frenchman who came to replace Rolf Ineichen this weekend in DTM. At the first corner, the drivers were less aggressive than on Saturday and no incidents were reported. Felipe Fraga managed to maintain his lead after a good start ahead of Mirko Bortolotti. Starting in 6th position, it was René Rast who carried out the best operations by catching up with the leading men. 

Felipe Fraga gives himself his birthday present

Some competitors did not see the end of the race like David Schumacher and Ricardo Feller. At the first turn, the nephew of the “Red Baron” had completely missed his braking and hit the Swiss. On a very short route (2,3 km), passing through the pit lane costs a lot of time. The first pit stops arrived halfway through the race. But the leading men decided to delay the change of tires. With 18 minutes of racing remaining, it was René Rast who rushed towards his boxes first. A few laps later Felipe Fraga and Mirko Bortolotti changed tires at the same time. 

While the Ferrari and the Lamborghini were fighting for first place, Thomas Preining was in difficulty. The winner of Race 1 had great difficulty resisting attacks from Ayhancan Guven and Luca Stolz because of the extra 25 kilos in his car. At the finish, Felipe Fraga calmly managed his lead to achieve his first success this season. This result is the best gift that the Brazilian could give himself in Germany as he celebrates his 27th birthday this Sunday. 

In the ranking, Mirko Bortolotti is doing well. The Italian took advantage of Sheldon van der Linde's 15th place to regain the leadership position in the general classification. René Rast also had plenty of action at the Norisring with a double podium. The German driver is lying in wait, 10 points behind the Lamborghini driver and 1 length behind the BMW driver. Now it's time for the DTM drivers to rest before resuming hostilities at the Nürburgring from August 26 to 28. 

ALSO READ > Norisring – Race 1: Preining dominates a chaotic race