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Tim Jarschel is the new DTM Esports Champion
It was the most exciting race day of the DTM eSports Championship 2024 season – powered by RaceRoom. The championship decision between Tim Jarschel (Falken Simracing Team) and Nikodem Wisniewski (G2 Esports) was only made in the final race. The German had led the standings from day one and impressed with his consistency. The Falken Simracing pilot clinched a total of three wins and eight podium finishes. Ironically, Tim experienced his worst race day at the season finale – but finishing in 15th and third places was enough for the overall victory. He can now showcase his skills "in real life." In addition to the prize money of 5,000 euros, Jarschel wins a GT4 test provided by Dörr Motorsport.
But Wisniewski also gets to breathe the race air on a real track. With his second-place finish overall, he not only wins 3,500 euros but also a guest start in the ADAC Tourenwagen Junior Cup. Kevin Siggy (Team Redline) takes third place overall and the 1,500 euros prize money.
However, someone else secured the victories at the Hockenheimring, even though this was almost overshadowed by the championship excitement. Moritz Löhner (MOUZ) won both races convincingly and also set the fastest lap time in the main race.
[h2]Race 1: Jarschel Under Pressure
[/h2]In qualifying, Jarschel secured third place behind Marko Pejic (Veloce Esports) and Isaac Price (G2 Esports), which was a good position to potentially secure the title early on. He had a 45-point cushion over Wisniewski, who qualified in sixth place.
However, the race unfolded in Wisniewski's favor. While Löhner catapulted himself to the front at the start, there was a fierce battle for positions behind him. After the first lap, the situation settled: Löhner led ahead of Price and Wisniewski, with Jarschel only in sixth position.
But the streak of bad luck for the championship leader wasn't over yet: after a collision a few laps later, Jarschel paid a visit to the gravel and dropped back to twelfth place. Shortly before the end, he lost three more positions and had to settle for 15th place at the finish line. At the front, Löhner celebrated his victory over Wisniewski, whose chances for the title had increased once again.
[h2]Race 2: Jarschel Keeps His Nerve
[/h2]With only a 29-point lead, Jarschel entered the final qualifying session of the season. He handled the pressure and qualified in fourth place. Löhner secured pole position ahead of Wisniewski and Gianmarco Fiduci (Veloce Esports).
After a turbulent first lap, Wisniewski was in the lead ahead of Löhner and Fiduci. Fourth-placed Jarschel had to defend against his direct pursuers Siggy and Macell Csincsik (R8G Esports). The positions remained the same until the pit stop window opened. Löhner, Jarschel, and Siggy were the first of the leading group to pit for tire changes. One lap later, Wisniewski came into the pits. However, he had to settle behind Löhner in second place, and Jarschel had lost a position to Siggy, lying in fifth place. This meant Jarschel still had the title in the bag.
But a few minutes before the end, the final decision in the title fight was made: as they braked for the hairpin turn, Fiduci hit the rear of Wisniewski's car, sending him into a spin. This promoted Jarschel to third place and Wisniewski dropped back to fifth.
Shortly after, two had reasons to celebrate: Löhner with his double victory at the Hockenheimring, and Jarschel as the new DTM eSports Champion! In the final tally, he secured 296 points. Wisniewski fell short by 35 points in the end. Siggy reached third place with 247 points.
Jarschel had already secured the Pole Position Award and the Asher Racing McLaren Artura Ultimate Wheel at the Red Bull Ring. Löhner won the Fastest Lap Award with his fastest lap in the main race (1:38.195 min.) and therefore a product from THRUSTMASTER.
While the DTM eSports Championship 2024 – powered by RaceRoom has reached an exciting conclusion, this weekend sees the real DTM starting its first weekend of the season in Oschersleben.
[h2]Quotes from the Drivers:
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Tim Jarschel:
"I am really exhausted. After the first race with 15th place and the minor crash, it got really exciting again. I was quite nervous before the second qualifying. But everything worked out, and I am extremely happy! Before the race day, I didn't really feel pressure since my lead was quite substantial. But after the first race, the pressure was back on. Now I am really looking forward to the GT4 test."
Moritz Löhner:
"I have always done well at Hockenheim – whether in sim racing or in real life. The BMW also finally got a boost in the BoP. I made the most of it with the double victory. A good end to the season. I am very happy about the titles for Tim. I brought him into Dörr back then and always believed in him. Now the breakthrough has finally come. Tim's training was always the big topic. Even without it, he was very fast. But I knew that when he fully focused on it, he would compete for championships."
Nikodem Wisniewski:
"I knew that the gap to Tim was actually too big to do anything. Of course, I did my best, but I was more focused on keeping Kevin behind me in the standings. But after the first race, I knew that Tim was under pressure and I had a chance again. My attack worked at the start, but it was tough to keep the BMW behind me. After the pit stops, I was in second place and battling with the next BMW. But Fiduci completely missed the braking point and hit me. Two podium finishes would have been good for sure. But this way, I ended up fifth and remained second in the championship. I am really excited about my guest start and hope for a cool track. It will definitely be a great experience. Tim deserves the title. He was very consistent and also had no bad luck. He had a great season."
