Lausitzring – Race 2: Sheldon Van Der Linde doubles the lead

Before coming to the Lausitzring circuit, Sheldon Van Der Linde (BMW) had only won once in DTM. At the end of the second race weekend in Germany, the BMW driver expressed his joy with this double victory. The fastest and most consistent driver this weekend takes the opportunity to take control of the Drivers' standings ahead of Lucas Auer (Mercedes), polesitter on Saturday and Mirko Bortolotti (Lamborghini).

Sheldon Van Der Linde knew the start scenario for Race 2. On Saturday, the BMW driver was in the shoes of the outsider in 2nd position and from the first corner, he took control of the first round of the weekend. At 13:30 p.m. this Sunday, the South African was not surprised by the attacks of René Rast (Audi) and Maro Engel (Mercedes). After the first lap at the Lausitzring, the pole sitter was still in the lead.

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Behind the leader, the battle raged on the first lap. Mirko Bortolotti tried to the limit to take second position forcing Maro Engel to take a turn on the field. The Mercedes driver still managed to return to the track in the same place he left it, namely 2nd. This duel especially benefited the leader of the race who was able to gain a lead over his rivals. 

Fears at the end of the race for Sheldon Van Der Linde

First position, Sheldon Van Der Linde will occupy it until the end of the race, ceding it only temporarily after 18 minutes to followers of an alternative strategy in the pit lane. But to finish in the lead, he had to quickly change his tires as the race leader and Maro Engel did. The Mercedes driver gave the South African's BMW a hard time by coming back to less than a second 12 minutes into the race. René Rast was also in the leader's mirrors until the end of the race. Philippe Eng (Mercedes) and Nico Mueller (Audi) complete the top 5. The South African, new leader in the general classification, will take charge as well as the entire DTM paddock in a month at Imola (June 17-19). 

ALSO READ > Lausitzring – Qualifying 2: Sheldon Van Der Linde on pole