– For Maro Engel, an unusual appointment was on the schedule on Saturday during the Formula 1 weekend in Zandvoort: The DTM leader presented the Pirelli Pole Position Award to pole-sitter Lando Norris after qualifying.
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The Briton had set the fastest lap in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix beforehand. Engel, who leads the DTM overall standings by one point ahead of former champion Thomas Preining with four races to go, was thus the first DTM driver ever to present the Pirelli trophy in Formula 1.
“It was a special honor to present the Pirelli Pole Position Award to Lando Norris,” Engel said afterwards. “As the current DTM championship leader, I was allowed to take on this special task, which of course made me very happy.”
How did Maro Engel’s Formula 1 appearance come about?
But how did it come about that Engel presented the award? This is related to the fact that Pirelli has been the exclusive tire partner since ADAC took over the racing series before the 2023 season and even developed its own DTM tire for this year.
“I think it’s nice that this creates a connection between DTM and Formula 1 in this way,” explained the Mercedes-AMG driver. “It also shows how valuable such partnerships are and what special opportunities can arise from them.”
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The decision that Engel would present the trophy was made, according to information from Motorsport-Total.com, already after the season opener in Spielberg, when the Mercedes-AMG factory driver was leading the overall standings. That he is also leading shortly before the end of the championship is a fortunate circumstance.
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Next appearance behind the wheel for Engel on Sunday
In addition, Engel knows many Formula 1 drivers personally, as he lives in Monaco. The son of a fashion designer drove this year at his victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with Winward for the same team as Max Verstappen.
For Engel, the appearance in Formula 1 was a welcome change from the title fight in the DTM. “For me, it was definitely a nice moment to stand on the other side here in Zandvoort,” said the 40-year-old, who likes the dune course on the North Sea. In 2023, he celebrated one of his four DTM wins there so far.
Now the focus of the Mercedes-AMG driver is back on the DTM, because on Sunday the official DTM test takes place at the Sachsenring, in which Engel participates in his Winward Mercedes. The test day serves as preparation for the penultimate season weekend, which will take place in three weeks from September 11 to 13 on the MotoGP traditional circuit.
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Due to the Mercedes-AMG collision in the Sunday race at the Nürburgring, the title fight is currently tighter than Engel probably likes. In addition, the Sachsenring suits the Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo of title rival Preining. The final decision on the DTM championship is expected to be made only in October at the season finale at the Hockenheimring.
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