[SOURCE: LIQUI MOLY]
Engstler Motorsport has been causing a stir in German racing for years. After numerous titles in the touring car scene, the step into GT3 will now follow in 2023. Together with LIQUI MOLY, the team from Wiggensbach announced its DTM commitment.
The commitment in the arguably toughest GT3 championship is to take place in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II with the distinctive LIQUI MOLY design. Luca Engstler, the son of the team owner, has been part of the team’s success story for years. He is now also the lucky driver who will take his seat behind the wheel of the racing rocket in the DTM. Since his promotion to Audi Sport driver at the beginning of 2022, the 23-year-old has been involved in a large number of the manufacturer’s official events. Before that, he clinched eight TCR titles on international soil, the highlight of 2021 being the Junior World Cup title in the FIA WTCR.
LIQUI MOLY Team Engstler Motorsport is eagerly awaiting the new challenge in the premium-class field of international top drivers. The season kicks off from May 26 to 28, 2023 in Oschersleben.
Franz Engstler, team owner: “I am extremely proud that after 30 years the name Engstler is back in the DTM as both team and driver. For Luca, I am extremely pleased that with his hard work, discipline and ambition he has made it into one of the highest and most demanding racing series in the world. With LIQUI MOLY, we were able to expand our unique cooperation and take it to a new level. Such a long and successful partnership is unparalleled in motorsport. I am also convinced that we will launch a very experienced, reliable and successful product with our partner Audi. Manuel Reuter as project manager is an excellent addition to our great core team, together with some new and experienced GT staff. We now have a very strong crew that I am extremely proud of. I view the DTM entry with a great deal of respect, but am looking forward to the new challenge.”
Luca Engstler, driver: “I still can’t believe that I was given the opportunity by Audi so early in my career to take part in the largest and best GT championship in the world. For this, I would like to say a special thank you to my long-time partner LIQUI MOLY and all those who have supported me along the way. It will be an enormous challenge to compete against the world’s best GT3 drivers and teams. Nevertheless, I believe that in the medium term we will have a package that promises success.”
Manuel Reuter, DTM project manager: “I am looking forward to the challenges of competing in the DTM with a new project like LIQUIMOLY Team Engstler Motorsport. With the potential that Franz Engstler’s team has shown in the past, I expect that we will establish ourselves among the top teams of the GT3 very soon. And with LIQUI MOLY, we have a strong and committed partner at our side,” says Reuter.
2023 DTM program
May 26-28 – Oschersleben
June 23-25 – Zandvoort, Netherlands
July 7-9 – Norisring
August 4-6 – Nürburgring
August 18-20 Lausitzring
September 8-10 Sachsenring
September 22-24 – Spielberg, Austria
October 20-22 – Hockenheim, Germany
