Grasser confirms former DTM race winner as replacement: Will Paul test soon?
The decision has been made: Christian Engelhart will celebrate his DTM comeback with the Grasser team at the Nurburgring. The 39-year-old German will drive the Lamborghini Temerario with start number 19 as a replacement for the injured Maximilian Paul, which initially could not be fielded in Oschersleben after the horror crash at the Norisring. But the Grasser team has bought a new chassis ...…
Christian Engelhart has been confirmed as the replacement driver for the Grasser team's DTM comeback at the Nurburgring. The 39-year-old German will take to the track in a Lamborghini Temerario, driving with start number 19, as a substitute for the injured Maximilian Paul. Initially, the Grasser team could not field Paul in Oschersleben following a horrific crash at the Norisring; however, they have now acquired a new chassis, allowing Engelhart and Mirko Bortolotti to race together again.
Team principal Gottfried Grasser expressed his satisfaction, stating that Engelhart's return to the DTM cockpit is a pleasant experience, reminiscent of coming home. Engelhart, who claimed a DTM victory in 2023 with the Toksport WRT Porsche, also has significant achievements with the Grasser team, including an endurance title in the Blancpain GT Series (now GT World Challenge Europe) in 2017 and a victory in the GTD class at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019.
He will compete in the DTM season for the third time, after starting as a regular driver in 2021 before undergoing knee surgery due to a colleague's leg injury. Engelhart expressed his excitement to return to the DTM and his gratitude for the team and brand, wishing Paul a speedy recovery. Paul's return to the Grasser team may be brief, as he is currently making excellent progress in his rehabilitation.
If the test goes well, a race outing at the Sachsenring on September 11-13 is conceivable, marking a major surprise considering the serious injuries he sustained.
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