Lukas Stiefelhagen secures record-breaking grand slam at Nürburgring
Lukas Stiefelhagen capped off a dominant Nürburgring weekend with victory in Sunday’s Race 3, completing a rare grand slam by topping every session and all three races – the first such achievement in NXT Gen Cup history.
Lining up alongside newly crowned first-time podium finisher Alex Gustafsson, Stiefelhagen faced one last challenge in Sunday’s Race 3. When the lights went out in the crisp Nürburgring morning air, both front-row starters immediately broke clear, while behind them, Philipp Dietrich pulled off a spectacular move around the outside of Turn 1 to pass both Maxim Dacher and Lennart Wolf for third place.
Early cooperation at the front
By lap two, a clear trend had emerged – Stiefelhagen and Gustafsson were working together to pull away from the chasing pack. Behind them, Dietrich, Wolf, Patricija Stalidzane, Benjamin Mazatis, and Dacher formed a fierce five-car train, at times running inches from the pit wall on the start–finish straight as they defended from attacks into Turn 1.
Another final-lap drama
Halfway through the race, the leading duo had stretched their advantage to over four seconds, while Dietrich began reeling in Dacher in a bid for the final podium position. By the penultimate lap, the Austrian managed to dive past Dacher to reclaim third.
Heading into the final lap, all four front-runners still had push-to-pass available. Gustafsson launched a late charge on Stiefelhagen, especially strong through Turn 1, but the Dutchman defended masterfully to secure his third win of the weekend and complete the series’ first-ever grand slam.
In the fight for third, Dietrich held off a determined Dacher to claim the final podium spot, while Stalidzane crossed the line in fifth ahead of Wolf and Pit Venanzi.
A historic milestone for Stiefelhagen
Stiefelhagen’s grand slam – topping all practice sessions, qualifying, and winning every race – is a first in NXT Gen Cup history. It also extends his championship lead to 94 points over Dacher, with Dietrich a further 7 points behind in third.
– This was a great race today. Me and Alex tried to stretch the gap to the rest of the field, it worked out quite well. In the last two laps we were fighting it out. Alex was especially quick in Turn 1 so I had to defend quite hard. I am very happy of course, a clean sweep once again – and great points for the championship, said Stiefelhagen after Sunday’s race.
Gustafsson’s breakthrough weekend
Alex Gustafsson’s double-podium weekend moves him up to fourth in the standings, ahead of Lennart Wolf and Patricija Stalidzane.
Series rookie Pit Venanzi continued to build momentum after his debut at Norisring in July, finishing inside the top eight in all three Nürburgring sprint races.
After setting a personal best in qualifying, Theo Wieder converted his P8 and P9 grid positions for Races 1 and 3 into his first top-ten finish, crossing the line ninth in Sunday’s race.
The 2025 NXT Gen Cup season concludes at Sachsenring on 22–24 August, once again supporting the DTM.
Race 3 – results
Top 5:
1. Lukas Stiefelhagen (NED)
2. Alex Gustafsson (SWE)
3. Philipp Dietrich (AUT)
4. Maxim Dacher (DEU)
5. Patricija Stalidzane (LAT)
Championship standings
Top 5 (after 10 races):
1. Lukas Stiefelhagen (NED), 287 pts
2. Maxim Dacher (DEU), 193 pts
3. Philipp Dietrich (AUT), 186 pts
4. Alex Gustafsson (SWE), 161 pts
5. Lennart Wolf (DEU), 131 pts
2025 NXT Gen Cup calendar
25-27 April – Oschersleben – Germany
04-06 July – Norisring – Germany
08-10 August – Nürburgring – Germany
22-24 August – Sachsenring – Germany
19-20 September – Swedish Junior Championship – Mantorp Park – Sweden
About NXT Gen Cup
The NXT Gen Cup is the world’s first 100% electric junior touring car cup where young female and male drivers race the LRT NXT1, a fully electric race car based on the MINI Cooper SE road car - engineered and built by Lestrup Racing Team. The series races together with DTM and is organised through an “arrive and drive” concept, enabling the junior drivers to focus on driving and creating the foundation for a professional racing career.
About DTM
DTM is Europe’s premier and best-known racing series and celebrated its 40th birthday in 2024. As one of the most competitive racing series, DTM features seven prestigious brands in its anniversary season. The DTM has a German core, but a strong international fan base. Races are broadcasted live in 150 territories. The series is also a leader in sustainable motorsport. For the second season, all cars are powered by a sustainable fuel made of 50% renewable components. Not only the cars racing in DTM are in the centre of sustainable projects. For the events itself the ADAC as promoter of the DTM offers innovations like an initiative to reduce plastic waste and a digital carpool solution, which has been recognised and awarded by the FIA.