Just under four months after the start of the DTM Trophy season in Monza, Italy, the DTM series finale was on the agenda last weekend. In Nuremberg, the team from Witten and the three drivers Sophie Hofmann (DE), Sebastian Kornely (DE) and Lucas Mauron (CH) completed their first city races in the Audi R8 LMS GT.
Lucas Mauron started the first race from third place on the grid. He did not get a good start on the narrow street circuit and fought his way up from the back to fifth position. Sophie Hofmann and Sebastian Kornely fought several duels in the 30 minutes of the race and crossed the finish line in twelfth and fourteenth place overall.
After the mechanics did another impressive job, all three cars were once again on the grid for the final race on Sunday afternoon. A great weekend was experienced by 23-year-old Sophie Hofmann, who lives just a short distance from the circuit and finished her first full season in GT4 racing in seventh place in the second race after a strong qualifying session. Lucas Mauron, starting from the back of the field, finished in sixth place to secure fourth place in the DTM Trophy drivers’ championship. Sebastian Kornely, who collected donations for the flood victims along the river Ahr with his “LIQUI MOLY” Audi R8 over the course of the race weekends, also secured his first championship points and crowned the strong team result.
Lucas Mauron finished the overall standings in fourth position with 124 points, Sophie Hofmann is in 17th place with 11 points. Overall, all drivers of the third car – Jörg Viebahn, Miklas Born and Sebastian Kornely – also finished in the points. Heide-Motorsport finished fifth in the team standings.
Rafael Kliem (Team Principal): On the whole, we can be satisfied with our debut season in the DTM Trophy. As a team, we got the maximum out of our package and both our drivers and our mechanics and all team members did a mega job over the course of the 14 races. With three podium finishes, one overall win and two pole positions, we have definitely been able to draw attention to ourselves and would like to continue this in the 2022 season. A big thank you goes to our sponsors and partners, all team members and the drivers we welcomed behind the wheel this season.
Sophie Hofmann (Driver #17): I am very happy with the weekend. It was special for me to start on this track and to see so many spectators in the stands! The fact that I was able to deliver my best performance makes me even happier, of course, and I can definitely build on this result. My thanks go to the team, who were fully committed throughout the year, and to my teammates for their support.
Sebastian Kornely (Driver #31): Being on this street circuit is very different from other circuits I’ve been on with the Audi R8 LMS GT. Saturday’s race was a bit chaotic and unfortunate for me, but the top-10 finish in the last race and thus my first points in this highly competitive series make me feel positive. Thanks to my partners – especially LIQUI MOLY, who set up this fundraiser with me – and the team! I can’t wait to get back in the race car and attack again in 2022.
Lucas Mauron (Driver #33): The weekend at the Norisring was not easy for us and we struggled to be fully competitive. Nevertheless, we were able to finish both races in the points and offer the fans at the track some exciting racing action once again. Unfortunately, we were not able to show our full potential during the season, but I am insanely proud of the team. To be able to win races in their first season in professional motorsport is not something that can be taken for granted and I am grateful to have been a part of it.
