Ayhancan Güven Dominates DTM Season Opener with First Win

Ayhancan Güven, driving for Manthey EMA, made a spectacular debut in the DTM season by clinching his first victory at the opening round in Oschersleben. The Turkish driver showcased exceptional skill and strategic acumen, navigating the new race format to secure a commanding win on Sunday.

Key Takeaways

• Ayhancan Güven won the second race of the DTM season, marking his first victory.

• The race featured a new format with two mandatory pit stops, enhancing strategic elements.

• Güven started from fourth position and executed flawless pit strategies to take the lead.

• Thomas Preining, Güven's teammate, finished third, contributing to Manthey EMA's strong team performance.

• Manthey EMA leads the team standings after the first weekend of racing.

Race Overview

The DTM season opener in Oschersleben was a thrilling event, with Ayhancan Güven demonstrating his prowess in the No. 90 Porsche 911 GT3 R. After a solid performance on Saturday, where he finished seventh, Güven was determined to capitalize on his starting position for Sunday’s race.

Güven's strategy involved waiting for the optimal moment to change tires, which paid off as he took the lead after the first pit stop. His ability to maintain a five-second gap from the competition showcased his driving skills and the effectiveness of the Manthey EMA team’s strategy.

Strategic Execution

The new race format introduced two mandatory pit stops on Sunday, which added a layer of complexity to the race. Güven's team executed the following strategies:

• Timing of Pit Stops: Güven's first pit stop was perfectly timed, allowing him to rejoin the race in a leading position.

• Tire Management: He effectively warmed up his tires without traffic, enabling him to build a significant lead.

• Final Stages: In the closing laps, Güven focused on defending his position, ensuring a smooth second pit stop to secure the win.

Team Performance

The Manthey EMA team had a stellar performance overall, with Thomas Preining finishing in third place. Preining, who started from seventh due to a challenging qualifying session, also benefited from the team’s strategic decisions and executed two flawless tire changes. His podium finish further solidified Manthey EMA's dominance in the team standings.

Results Summary

Position	Driver	Team	Car	Time/Gap
1	Ayhancan Güven	Manthey EMA	Porsche 911 GT3 R	-
2	Jules Gounon	Winward Racing	Mercedes-AMG	+2.695 seconds
3	Thomas Preining	Manthey EMA	Porsche 911 GT3 R	+3.370 seconds

Post-Race Reactions

After the race, team members expressed their satisfaction with the results:

• Sebastian Golz, Project Manager for the Porsche 911 GT3 R, praised the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of strategy and execution.

• Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing, noted the positive start to the season compared to the previous year and commended Güven's victory.

• Ayhancan Güven reflected on his race, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategy in achieving his first win.

Looking Ahead

With the first race weekend concluded, the Manthey EMA team leads the championship standings, setting a promising tone for the rest of the DTM season. The next race will take place at the Lausitzring, where drivers will aim to build on their early successes and continue the fight for the championship.