NXT Gen Cup heads to Nürburgring with title battle heating up
NXT Gen Cup – the world’s only fully electric touring car series – is back in action this weekend as the championship reaches its third round of the season. For the third consecutive year, the 18-car grid will join DTM at the legendary Nürburgring for three action-packed sprint races.
With just two race weekends remaining, the battle for the championship is entering a decisive phase – and the Nürburgring promises to be another pivotal stop on the road to the season finale.
Dutch dominance – but in fierce competition
The NXT Gen Cup season kicked off at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, where four different drivers claimed victory in four races – showcasing the depth of talent on the 2025 grid. But when the 18 LRT NXT1 cars rolled into the Norisring street circuit in July, Dutch driver Lukas Stiefelhagen took control of the title fight. He delivered a masterclass, sweeping all three races to extend his championship lead to 61 points ahead of Austrian Philipp Dietrich and German Maxim Dacher.
Lukas Stiefelhagen followed by Patricija Stalidzane at Norisring (photo: Sebastian Jansson)
While Stiefelhagen’s triple victory may suggest dominance, the racing has been anything but one-sided. So far, seven different drivers have stood on the podium across the first seven races, with tight battles up and down the field – a testament to the series’ parity and close competition.
Can anyone stop Stiefelhagen’s momentum at the Nürburgring? Will a new contender emerge to challenge him for the win?
A stacked DTM event awaits at Nürburgring
Nestled in Germany’s Eifel mountains, the Nürburgring is one of the most iconic circuits in global motorsport. NXT Gen Cup returns to the track for the third straight year as part of a stacked DTM event programme that also includes ADAC GT4 Germany, Prototype Cup Germany, and the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Lukas Stiefelhagen (photo: Sebastian Jansson)
Race weekend format
The Nürburgring round will feature three sprint races: two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Track action kicks off on Friday with two free practice sessions and qualifying.
As always, qualifying and all races will be streamed live on YouTube – complete with expert commentary and insights. Subscribe to the NXT Gen Cup YouTube channel for full coverage all weekend.
Schedule - NXT Gen Cup, Nürburgring
Times in CEST
Friday 8th August
08:00 – Free Practice 1 (20 min)
12:55 – Free Practice 2 (20 min)
17:45 – Qualification (20 min)
Saturday 9th August
08:30 – Race 1 (20 min)
10:50 – Autograph Session
15:30 – Race 2 (20 min)
16:30 – Meet the Drivers
Sunday 10th August
10:10 – Race 3 (20 min)
Championship standings
NXT Gen Cup After 7 races
1. Lukas Stiefelhagen (NED), 193p
2. Philipp Dietrich (AUT),132p
3. Maxim Dacher (DEU), 132p
4. Julian Würtele (DEU), 108p
5. Patricija Stalidzane (LAT), 107p
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.