Philipp Eng is a new DTM leader after maiden victory at Zolder

Philipp Eng (BMW) and Rene Rast (Audi) are the winners of two DTM races at Circuit Zolder in the second round of the 2019 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season.

It was the maiden DTM victory for Philipp Eng, who added the second-place finish in Race 2 to his account and took the lead in the championship after four races. In Sunday’s race, Rene Rast scored his second win this season and twelfth DTM victory in a career.

Race 1 podium at Zolder

The famous German-based championship returned to Zolder, known as the birthplace of the DTM, for the first time since 2002. In Saturday’s race, Philipp Eng started from P7 and benefited from early pitstop and mid-race Safety Car period.

He was one of few drivers that already completed mandatory pitstop when the race was interrupted on lap 5 with Safety Car period to remove stranded cars of Dani Juncadella and Jake Dennis. At the restart, Eng overtook fellow BMW driver Joel Eriksson and Audi driver Rene Rast, staying in front until the end of the race.

“I want to dedicate this win to Charly Lamm. He was a good friend to many of us, and a special mentor to me. He told me to chase my dream. So I did, and here I am. Thank you Charly, I could feel you with me today,“ Eng said after the race. He shared a podium with Joel Eriksson and Audi’s Nico Müller.

Philipp Eng, Rene Rast and Jamie Green after Sunday’s race at Zolder

On Sunday, Rene Rast climbed to the top podium spot for the second time this season. He shared a podium with Saturday’s winner Philipp Eng and Audi teammate Jamie Green. Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) finished fourth, ahead of pole sitter Sheldon van der Linde (BMW).

Earning 18 points for the second place, Philipp Eng took the championship lead after four races. He has 59 points, five more than Rene Rast. Marco Wittmann is third, eleven points behind Rast.

The third round of the season is scheduled for June 8-9 at Misano.