Press release
Emil Frey Racing heads to the penultimate DTM round at the Sachsenring
Fast Facts – The Press Bulletin
Two races and therefore two opportunities to change everything: Emil Frey Racing heads to the penultimate round of the 2026 DTM season at the Sachsenring. The circuit near Chemnitz has always been a good hunting ground for the Swiss team, with two podiums secured there last year and a win plus another podium the year before. With three season victories to their name, Emil Frey Racing currently sits fourth in the Teams' Championship with 197 points, 34 points behind the leading Winward Racing. The goal is clear: score points in both races and keep the title fight alive heading into the finale at Hockenheim.
Press Release
Emil Frey Racing takes to the start with the #14 and #69 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo as the DTM visits the Sachsenring from 10th to 12th September 2026. The 3.671-kilometre circuit near Chemnitz, with its 13 corners and hilly, technically demanding layout, is one of the standout challenges in the DTM calendar. Overtaking is traditionally difficult at the tight Sachsenring, which means a strong qualifying performance and an error-free race will be key.
History and results speak in favour of the team from Safenwil: last year the team secured two podiums at this venue, and the year before celebrated a victory and another podium finish. The Sachsenring has therefore always been a circuit where Emil Frey Racing's strengths come to the fore.
After the Nürburgring weekend, which peaked with Matteo Cairoli's dominant third season win on Saturday but left a bitter taste following the unfortunate pitstop failure on Sunday, Emil Frey Racing heads into the final phase of the season with determination. The team also made good use of the test day at the Sachsenring just under two weeks ago to prepare as thoroughly as possible. The program ran to plan and delivered important findings, particularly regarding tyre wear on the abrasive surface. In the Teams' Championship, the team sits fourth with 197 points, 34 points behind the leading Winward Racing. With two race weekends and four races still to come, the fight for the top positions remains very much open.
Weekend Highlights:
- DTM 2026: Round 7 and penultimate DTM round at the Sachsenring
- Date: 10th – 12th September 2026
- Highlight: One of the most technically demanding and compact circuits in the DTM calendar
- Targets: Score points in both races and make up ground in the Teams' Championship
Drivers & Cars:
- #14 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo – Matteo Cairoli (ITA)
- #69 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo – Thierry Vermeulen (NED)
TEAM QUOTES – Emil Frey Racing
Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Team Principal
"The Sachsenring is a technically very demanding circuit, but one that has always suited us well in recent years. Qualifying is absolutely crucial here, because whoever starts at the front has a clear advantage. Overtaking at the Sachsenring is traditionally very difficult, which is why we will do everything we can to secure the best possible grid positions through strong qualifying performances. I am convinced that our preparation and the findings from the test have put us in a good position."
Jürg Flach, Technical Director
"The Sachsenring is always one of the highlights of the season thanks to its layout and topology, which make it a truly exciting circuit. The test went well and we were able to complete our program as planned. Running long stints was particularly important to understand tyre wear with the new rubber on this abrasive surface, as it was our first time racing on it here. We now need to evaluate the test results to make the final fine-tuning ahead of the race weekend."
DRIVER QUOTES – Emil Frey Racing
Matteo Cairoli (Italy)
"It was great to finally get back to the Sachsenring test after nine years. The circuit is essentially one long left-hander, and with the elevation changes it's simply an exciting place to drive. Even though we lost a little ground at the Nürburgring, our goal is very clear: to do everything in the remaining races to stay in the championship fight."
Thierry Vermeulen (Netherlands)
"We had a very good test and I'm really looking forward to this great circuit, with its fast corners but also the slower, more technical sections in the first part of the lap. The test was the first in a long time and we were able to gain clarity in several areas, as we tried a lot of different things. I'm really looking forward to the weekend and I think we have a very strong overall package."
ABOUT EMIL FREY RACING
Emil Frey Racing is a storied Swiss motorsport team based in Safenwil. Founded in the 1960s on the foundations of the Emil Frey Group, the team can look back on decades of motorsport experience, ranging from single-seater and rally racing to long-distance GT series. Today, Emil Frey Racing competes internationally, currently in both the DTM and the GT World Challenge with the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo.
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