This marked Maini’s second podium finish in the DTM series, following his second-place achievement at the Norisring in 2021. The strong performance at Zandvoort wasn’t a one-off for the Indian driver, as Mercedes-AMG secured seven out of eight possible points finishes, further extending their championship lead.
Qualifying on Saturday morning saw Maini shine. The AMG Customer Racing Teams displayed strong starts with three cars securing positions within the top 10. Maini stole the show by grabbing the best grid position, putting him in prime contention for a podium finish.
Living up to the promise of qualifying, Maini maintained his position throughout the entire 39-lap race, ultimately crossing the finish line in third place. Lucas Auer (Austria) and Luca Stolz (Germany) rounded out the top ten finishes for Mercedes-AMG, showcasing the team’s overall strong performance. Maro Engel (Germany) displayed his fighting spirit with a determined recovery drive, starting from 18th on the grid and finishing a respectable eleventh.
Sunday’s race proved to be a bit more challenging for Mercedes-AMG. Due to scheduling conflicts, qualifying took place on Friday evening. Although Maini secured another top-half grid position starting from fifth, the race unfolded differently.
Stolz, starting from eighth, emerged as the best-placed Mercedes-AMG GT3 driver, finishing the race in fifth place. However, an unfortunate incident during the pit stop hampered his progress. Inadvertently blocked by another competitor, Stolz lost valuable time that could have potentially secured a higher position.
Maini continued his consistent performance, once again finishing within the top ten, this time in sixth place. Engel also displayed strong driving, holding onto ninth until the closing stages. However, fierce battles on the track saw him lose the position, ultimately finishing thirteenth. Lucas Auer’s race ended prematurely due to a collision on the opening lap, a situation entirely beyond his control. The incident caused damage to his Mercedes-AMG GT3, forcing him out of the competition.
Despite the challenges on Sunday, Mercedes-AMG’s success at Zandvoort was undeniable. Maini’s podium finish, combined with the strong overall performance, solidified their position at the top. The championship lead in the DTM manufacturers’ standings is a testament to the team’s strategy and driver talent.