The Norisring in the heart of Nuremberg will host the fourth DTM round of the season July 3-5. Germany’s only street circuit demands maximum concentration from the drivers.
The narrow track between guardrails and walls surrounding the historic stone grandstand requires millimeter-precise driving and leaves no room for error.
Championship leader Matteo Cairoli (ITA/Emil Frey Racing) aims to defend his top position after his second DTM victory at the Dekra Lausitzring – but the gaps are minimal. The Mercedes-AMG duo of Maro Engel (MONACO/Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol) and Lucas Auer (AUT/Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf) follow in second and third place, just one point behind the Italian.
Ferrari driver Cairoli, after his victory at the Lausitzring, is the only DTM driver with two wins this season and has taken over the championship lead. However, the Nuremberg street circuit is almost entirely new territory for him.
“I’ve only driven the Norisring once before, and that was eleven years ago,” reveals the 30-year-old. “I know you have to brake extremely late and get on the gas very early after the corners to carry as much speed as possible on the long straights. The track surface is also unique, as it’s just regular roads. It could be a tough weekend, but we had the best preparation at the Lausitzring. I’ll fight until I drop.”
That will be necessary, because his Mercedes-AMG teammates Engel, who finished on the podium at the Norisring in 2024 and 2025, and Auer will be giving the Italian a hard time on the Nuremberg streets.
Aston Martin driver Nicki Thiim (DK/Comtoyou Racing) has a very special memory associated with the street circuit.
“I won my first DTM race at the Norisring in 2024. That was an incredible experience. The track is an absolute highlight and provides a real adrenaline rush in the cockpit. It’s a dream for every driver to race there. We want to put on a good show,” promises the sixth-placed driver in the standings.
The Norisring also holds a special place for Thomas Preining (A/Manthey). The Austrian has made history in Nuremberg: Four years ago, Preining secured Porsche’s first DTM victory there, and the Manthey driver now boasts three Norisring wins. The 27-year-old won the legendary 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps last weekend together with his DTM teammate Ricardo Feller (CH) and DTM rookie Bastian Buus (DK/Land-Motorsport) and travels to Dutzendteich with plenty of momentum.
The Nuremberg street circuit, with its fast straights and only four tight corners, is a real test for the brakes. The cars decelerate from over 250 km/h down to 60 km/h. Bumps just before the corners add to the challenge. Drivers have to find the perfect line at the corner exits to avoid losing a side mirror and keep close to the walls. Local hero Marco Wittmann (Schubert Motorsport), currently fourth in the standings as the highest-placed BMW driver, is looking forward to the weekend with great anticipation.
“The atmosphere at the Norisring is unique. It’s a huge pleasure for me to race on this one-of-a-kind street circuit in front of my family, the local fans, and my fan club,” says the driver from Fürth.
