Ahead of the DTM finale at Hockenheim, Mirko Bortolotti (SSR-Lamborghini) leads the overall standings by 15 points: Why that could be a disadvantage
Before the DTM finale at Hockenheim, it looks like Mirko Bortolotti will be crowned champion this year. The SSR Lamborghini driver has a 15-point lead over Kelvin van der Linde (Abt Audi) and could wrap up his first title win as early as the first race on Saturday.
However, title rival Kelvin van der Linde does not see Bortolotti’s comfortable situation as an advantage. “It’s not a nice feeling,” “I’ve had that a few weekends this year when I was competing as a title contender. It’s exciting, but not when you’re the one being hunted.”
“It’s not easy to arrive as the leader because you’re not just racing against your championship rivals,” recalls the South African, who sees his situation as the hunter ‘much more pleasant’. ”You have other drivers who sometimes have nothing to lose and who drive extremely aggressively in the DTM.”
“It’s a big mental game to stay calm – and it’s not easy,” says Kelvin van der Linde, who was once close to winning the title in 2021. He has also led the DTM overall standings several times this season and therefore knows what it feels like to go into a race weekend as the hunted.
The manufacturers are also “in the frame”
“It’s difficult when you look at Hockenheim and know that you’re the big target for every driver,” says the Abt Audi driver, trying to put his title rivals under pressure. The current runner-up reminds us once again that the finale will see battles on several fronts – not just in the drivers’ championship!
“It’s clear that it’s not just about three drivers, but four manufacturers who also have a say,” says the 28-year-old, alluding to the fact that the battle in the manufacturers’ championship has not yet been decided either. “Four Mercedes, I think the Lamborghinis will probably help a bit, but BMW will definitely still have a say at Hockenheim.”
“But I’m glad we now have two weeks to look at everything and strike back at Hockenheim,” said Kelvin van der Linde, who once again lost his overall lead on the last race weekend in Spielberg, renewing his challenge for the finale.
Bortolotti is relaxed: “Enjoying every situation”
And what does Bortolotti himself have to say? The Italian remains relaxed and is not fazed by the psychological games of his competitors. “I’m enjoying every situation. It doesn’t really matter,”
“I get up in the morning and come to the track to do my job as well as possible. Regardless of the points. Otherwise I wouldn’t be a professional, would I?” asks Bortolotti with a slight irony. ”If you’re 60 points behind, what do you do then? Do you go home, or do you push harder?”
Furthermore, the chances have increased after the penultimate race of the season at the Red Bull Ring. “Yes, because before Spielberg we were seven points behind, now we have a 15-point lead,” says Bortolotti, focusing solely on the facts, which are clearly in his favor at the moment. “I think that a 15-point lead can also be seen as motivation.”
