Autosport Top 50 of 2024: #36 Maro Engel

Seven podiums and third general made for Maro Engel’s strongest DTM marketing campaign but, 16 years on from his debut. The main gentle of Mercedes’ GT roster led its four-strong contingent dwelling in 9 of 16 races because it clinched the producers’ crown, whereas in GT World Problem Europe Dash Cup he by no means completed decrease than fifth to safe the title with Lucas Auer.

Treading a monitor limits tightrope he’d been handed by Auer to carry off Dries Vanthoor at Hockenheim was a triumph each bit as particular as his Macau GT World Cup success. Jeddah Endurance Cup win secured general GTWCE honours. 

Late bloomer is barely enhancing 

A primary-time entrant in Autosport’s high 50, Maro Engel reckons he ought to have made the record sooner. He factors to the 2019 season during which he and Luca Stolz was solely denied the GT World Problem Europe Dash Cup title on countback to Andrea Caldarelli and Marco Mapelli, and took pole place for each the Nurburgring and Spa 24 Hours, as “one in every of my strongest years”. However in 2024, Engel reckons he reached new heights. 

“I do really feel like this 12 months driving-wise has been my strongest but,” the cheerful 39-year-old says, earlier than including: “And there is extra to return.” 

The stats do bear that out. With the caveat that his first 4 seasons in DTM have been in older equipment, his earlier finest end had been tenth final 12 months driving for Staff Landgraf.

And whereas there have been no wins this 12 months – although “we put ourselves in the precise place” to transform pole to victory on the Nurburgring till being spun on the first nook as Rene Rast’s BMW exited the pits – Engel’s podium file matched that of champion Mirko Bortolotti.  

Though he modestly factors out that his Winward crew has delivered constantly glorious pitstops, together with a season-best 5.85s on the Hockenheim finale, the 2018 Blancpain GT Endurance Cup champion has greater than performed his half from behind the wheel. The following finest Mercedes driver, Arjun Maini (HRT), was seventh whereas team-mate Lucas Auer was solely tenth. 

“Personally, I really feel like my racecraft is pretty much as good because it’s ever been,” Engel explains. “I’ve actually made essentially the most out of many alternatives with sturdy out-laps, which I actually really feel has been a robust half for me as nicely the place I’ve managed to make a distinction.” 

That proved key in lastly scoring a primary Dash Cup title, having additionally completed second in 2021 with Stolz, edging three-time champions Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts within the WRT BMW. Eight podium finishes from 10 races was a really exceptional return. 

“The Dash Cup was at all times a championship which was on my thoughts, which I actually needed to win,” Engel concedes.

“Wanting again on that championship, it was insanely aggressive contested between the #32 and us. Hats off to them as nicely, as a result of it was actually loopy. We would have liked to be on our A-game in each single race, and I could not afford to drop the ball at any level.” 

Engel actually didn’t accomplish that at Hockenheim, which he picks out as “the toughest one” of his and Auer’s three Dash Cup wins.  

“Sadly Lucas solely left me with one free shot of monitor limits left in what was most likely the toughest nook of the 12 months to maintain it inside monitor limits, in Flip 1,” Engel remembers.

Engel picks out his drive at Hockenheim to carry off Vanthoor as one in every of his seasonal highlights

Picture by: SRO

“I knew if I gave him any probability that [Vanthoor] would simply come blasting previous me. That was actually for me essentially the most satisfying drive of the GT World Problem Dash season for me.” 

Engel’s fourth win on the streets of Macau, and his second FIA GT World Cup after claiming the inaugural occasion in 2015, was aided by barely fortuitous circumstances as Antonio Fuoco and Raffaele Marciello tangled at Lisboa. However Engel, who was penalised 5 seconds for earlier contact with Vanthoor, had nonetheless put himself within the place to capitalise as the perfect of the Mercedes runners having certified third in his GruppeM machine.  

“It was an important feeling, as a result of it got here sudden,” displays Engel, who admits he anticipated Fuoco to clear off as soon as he had handed Marciello moments earlier than the tangle that scuppered their races.  

“Luck did come our means once they got here collectively in Lisboa. However for us, the primary factor we will be proud about is to have saved that automobile in competition. You have to be in it to have an opportunity, so we’re very pleased with that. It is clearly the icing on the cake for an important season.” 

Engel’s GT World Cup victory was his fourth success on the streets of Macau

Picture by: Macau GP