Stiefelhagen dominates with back-to-back wins at the Nürburgring
(Photo: Sebastian Jansson)
Saturday’s track action at the legendary Nürburgring delivered two thrilling NXT Gen Cup races, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with close battles right to the chequered flag. Dutch championship leader Lukas Stiefelhagen emerged as the day’s star, securing back-to-back victories.
When the lights went out early Saturday morning, championship leader Stiefelhagen lined up alongside Germany’s Lennart Wolf on the front row. Wolf seized the advantage on the opening lap, leading a five-car fight that also included Philipp Dietrich, Maxim Dacher, and Alex Gustafsson.
Last-lap heroics
The sprint quickly became a tactical battle of push-to-pass strategy, with drivers biding their time for the final laps. On the very last lap, Stiefelhagen executed a decisive move on a brilliantly defending Wolf to snatch victory.
– I’m very happy, of course, said Stiefelhagen after his Race 1 win. It was a good race. It was hard to overtake Lennart, but I managed to get past at the end by using my push-to-pass on the last two laps.
The fight for the final podium spot was equally intense, with Philipp Dietrich’s HANKOOK-liveried LRT NXT1 narrowly edging Maxim Dacher in a photo finish for third place.
Podium finishers in Race 1 (from left): Lennart Wolf, Lukas Stiefelhagen, and Philipp Dietrich (Photo: Alexander Trienitz)
Race 2 – From eighth to victory
The reversed-grid format put rookie Pit Venanzi and Benjamin Mazatis on the front row. Venanzi made a clean getaway in his No. 88 POYNTING-liveried car and defended hard into Turn 1 to keep Mazatis behind.
By lap three, Venanzi still led, but a charging Alex Gustafsson had climbed to second in his silver BONDIX-liveried car, followed by Mazatis in third. The momentum shifted by lap six, with Venanzi dropping back and championship contender Maxim Dacher – who had started fifth – taking control in his red-and-white NATHIKO-liveried car.
Meanwhile, Stiefelhagen, starting cautiously from P8, steadily carved his way through the field. On the final lap, he was on Dacher’s tail, and once again, perfect timing on the push-to-pass proved decisive. Stiefelhagen swept past to claim his fifth consecutive NXT Gen Cup win – setting a new championship record.
The battle for third raged between Mazatis and Gustafsson, with the Swede ultimately edging his rival to claim his first-ever NXT Gen Cup podium – an emotional milestone for the 18-year-old.
– Finally, after many, many races, I’ve got my podium, said Gustafsson after the race. I can’t really describe the feeling. I want to thank everyone who has helped make this possible. But tomorrow’s a new day – so let’s go and get another one.
Podium finishers in Race 2 (from left): Maxim Dacher, Lukas Stiefelhagen, and Alex Gustafsson (Photo: Alexander Trienitz)
Sunday’s action will bring the third and final NXT Gen Cup race of the packed DTM weekend. Lights out is scheduled for 10:10, with the race broadcast LIVE on the NXT Gen Cup YouTube channel.
Race 1 – results
Top 5:
1. Lukas Stiefelhagen (NED)
2. Lennart Wolf (DEU)
3. Philipp Dietrich (AUT)
4. Maxim Dacher (DEU)
5. Alex Gustafsson (SWE)
Race 2 – results
Top 5:
1. Lukas Stiefelhagen (NED)
2. Maxim Dacher (DEU)
3. Alex Gustafsson (SWE)
4. Benjamin Mazatis (DEU)
5. Lennart Wolf (DEU)
Schedule: Sunday 10th August
Times in CEST
10:10 – Race 3 (20 min)
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.