Maximilian Götz is the 2021 DTM champion! The 35-year-old from Uffenheim from Mercedes-AMG Team HRT scored his second win in the DTM Norisring powered by BWT event to seal the coveted title in the long-standing series that has been run since 1984. Götz benefited from drama involving the two title favourites Liam Lawson and Kelvin van der Linde. In the first corner of the opening lap, there was contact between van der Linde’s ABT Audi and Lawson’s Red Bull Ferrari. As a result, Lawson was out of contention in the battle for the title and only able to complete the race driving with his damaged Ferrari.
On the 54th of 67 laps, van der Linde incurred a left rear puncture in the close battle for the title and dropped back considerably after a spin and a subsequent pit stop. As a result, and with help from his fellow Mercedes-AMG drivers, the road was clear for Götz to win the race and to seal the title as a result. In a spectacular first DTM season with GT race cars, Götz brought his total to 230 points in the finale in front of a huge crowd. Liam Lawson from New Zealand, only 19 years old, became runner-up with 227 points from Kelvin van der Linde with 208 points.