– Just three weeks ago, Grasser was still in shock after Maximilian Paul’s horrific accident at the Norisring. Now there’s reason to celebrate again: teammate Mirko Bortolotti wins the second DTM race in Oschersleben, thanks to a strong team performance and a perfect strategy.
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In the subsequent interviews, the usually composed Italian showed unusual emotion, especially with regard to his injured teammate. “I think we have a strong bond with each other. We are a great team,” says the winner of the second Oschersleben race. “We really enjoy every minute.”
Although Paul has only been Bortolotti’s permanent teammate at Grasser since this season, their connection goes back much further. In the 2023 season, the 2024 DTM champion even significantly supported the German on his way to his first DTM victory at the Nürburgring.
“It’s really a shame what happened to Max,” Bortolotti reflects after his victory in Oschersleben on the serious Norisring accident three weeks ago. “I want to think of him too. I know he’s on the road to recovery, and I want to dedicate this victory to him as well.”
“We are good friends. It’s really hard to believe what happened there. How much bad luck one can have. But as I said a few weeks ago at the Norisring: He is really strong,” says the Italian. “I can’t wait to have him back on the other side of the garage.”
Mirko Bortolotti: “An insane victory, incredibly emotional”
When Paul will return to the cockpit of his Grasser-Lamborghini remains open. The 26-year-old recently spoke out with an emotional video message. “I’ve been patched up again and am currently in rehab,” said Paul, who watched the weekend “with one laughing and one crying eye.”
After his teammate’s victory, the laughing eye on Sunday was probably a little bigger – as it was for Bortolotti himself. “Especially in difficult seasons like this, it’s important to have a good connection with everyone, to have fun together and to make the most of these weekends,” says Bortolotti. “I think that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The start of the season for Grasser Racing was anything but easy: first, the teething problems of the new Lamborghini Temerario GT3 caused headaches, then Maximilian Paul’s serious accident shook the team. The success in Oschersleben therefore also has a special symbolic meaning.
“It’s an insane victory for us, incredibly emotional,” confirms Bortolotti. “It’s the world’s first victory for the Lamborghini Temerario GT3, and that in the most important championship. So I’m overjoyed with this success, incredibly proud of everyone, and enjoying this victory to the fullest.”
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What’s more: It’s even the first joint DTM victory for Bortolotti and Grasser, who get along so well. “I had never won a race with them before, and in my first DTM year, I always finished second or third. So it’s great to finally have achieved this victory.”
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How Bortolotti snatched victory in Oschersleben
“I still can’t quite believe what we achieved today: starting from sixth place, perfect strategy, perfect race.” In fact, the Grasser driver laid the foundation for his success already in qualifying, when he secured sixth on the grid.
At the start, the 36-year-old first prevailed against Maro Engel (Winward-Mercedes) and then completed a strong first stint. “We had a great strategy,” recalls the Lamborghini factory driver. “We decided to stay out long in the first stint, and that allowed us to overtake everyone with an ‘overcut’.”
The plan worked: After his pit stop, which actually didn’t go so well, Bortolotti nevertheless returned to the track in second place and defended his position despite cold tires. “The pit stops were really strong, as were the laps immediately after the stop,” adds the Italian living in Vienna.
“When the rain then started, I was able to close the gap to Tommy [Preining],” says Bortolotti. “And then, of course, they had a problem – a small issue during the pit stop – which gave us the chance to pass them.”
“Otherwise, it would probably have been difficult, or there would have been a direct duel with Thomas for the victory at the end. Of course, I feel sorry for him and his bad luck, but we’ve also had bad luck often in the past; that’s why I’m enjoying this victory and gladly taking it.”
DTM Victory for Lamborghini an Exception This Year
In the overall DTM standings, Bortolotti improved to tenth place with his success on Sunday. However, the gap to leader Maro Engel in the Winward-Mercedes is 72 points. But in the Lamborghini camp, the title fight plays only a minor role this season anyway.
“We will certainly celebrate extensively today and enjoy this day to the fullest, because we are in a development season,” the Lamborghini factory driver reminds of the numerous difficulties with the new Temerario.
“Therefore, I don’t expect us to immediately fight for victories again in the next races. We have to start from scratch on every track we come to, because we are driving on each of these tracks for the first time with this car.”
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“And every first free practice is a bit of an adventure for us,” says Bortolotti. “That’s why it’s a somewhat different kind of season. That’s precisely why a victory like this, in my opinion, is even more valuable, even more important, and feels even better.”
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