DTM
Liam Lawson leads Red Bull AF Corse to DTM team title in dramatic finale
In an action-packed end to the DTM season, rookie driver Liam Lawson missed out on the title but helped AF Corse triumph in the Teams championship.
Liam Lawson was involved in a collision with Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde on lap one, turn one of the final race of the DTM season at the Norisring in Germany. Maximilian Götz capitalised and claimed two victories on the weekend to take the title.
It was in stark contrast to the way the race weekend had started for Lawson. The 19-year-old topped qualifying and, despite another crash with van der Linde, claimed third place in race one behind Götz. Coupled with team-mate Nick Cassidy’s fifth place, it was enough to secure Red Bull AF Corse the Teams championship and it gave Lawson an 18-point lead with one race to go.
Red Bull AF Corse DTM team-mates: Liam Lawson and Nick Cassidy
© Julian Kroehl/Red Bull Content Pool
Rookie racer Liam Lawson has lit up DTM in 2021
© Julian Kroehl/Red Bull Content Pool
Nick Cassidy follows Liam Lawson into DTM at the Norisring
© Julian Kroehl/Red Bull Content Pool
Liam Lawson celebrates his 18th podium of the 2021 DTM season
© Julian Kroehl/Red Bull Content Pool
Lawson made a flawless start from pole position, but when defending his lead under braking, van der Linde braked too late and crashed into the side of the number 30 car. Although he could continue, the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 was severely damaged and the best he could manage was 18th.
Lawson’s only hope of being crowned champion was for neither van der Linde nor German Maximilian Götz – his closest rivals – to win the race. And while van der Linde subsequently suffered a puncture and dropped back, Götz – with help from Mercedes team orders – moved forward through the pack to assume the race lead and claim a come-from-behind race win and championship glory.
“I’m obviously very disappointed and gutted for my whole team,” said Lawson. “They really deserved this title. To be taken out by the same guy over and over again says it all. Turn one, lap one of the race – what can you say? I just feel bad for my whole team.”
Van der Linde also tussled with Cassidy, sending the driver of the AlphaTauri car to the back of the field. He fought strongly until he again fell down the standings as a consequence of another collision. He eventually crossed the finish line in 13th place.
Lawson taking a quiet moment in the cockpit
© Julian Kroehl/Red Bull Content Pool
“Obviously, the result today was not perfect, but we tried our best,” said Cassidy. “After a great performance in qualifying by Liam and me, it was great to start at the front. Unfortunately, some circumstances out of our control didn’t help in the race. I was really pleased with my drive to come back from half a lap down to P4. The pace of the car was amazing and I tried my best to fight for the win. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be. Thanks to the team for the opportunity to race here. I had a lot of fun.”
Lawson ended his debut season in the DTM in second place overall, with three wins, four pole positions and 10 podiums to his name. Second place overall in his rookie season and a clear win in the Junior classification should be some consolation for the young New Zealander.
Race 1 result (Top 5):
- Maximilian Götz (GER) – Mercedes-AMG Team HRT
- Arjun Maini (IND) – Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed
- Liam Lawson (NZL) – Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse
- Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) – Team ABT Sportsline
- Nick Cassidy (NZL) – Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse
Race 2 result (Top 5):
- Maximilian Götz (GER) – Mercedes-AMG Team HRT
- Lucas Auer (AUT) – Mercedes-AMG Team Winward
- Maximilian Buhk (GER) – Mercedes AMG Team Mücke Motorsport
- Mike Rockenfeller (GER) – Team ABT Sportsline
- Dani Juncadella (ESP) – Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing
DTM Drivers’ Championship:
- Maximilian Götz (GER) – Mercedes-AMG Team HRT 230 points
- Liam Lawson (NZL) – Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse 227 pts
- Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) – Team ABT Sportsline 208 pts
DTM Team Championship:
- Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse 368 points
- Team ABT Sportsline 296 pts
- Mercedes-AMG Team Winward 281 pts
- Mercedes-AMG Team HRT 262 pts
- Walkenhorst Motorsport 171 pts