Truck Champions at the Lausitzring

Lausitzring, Orechová Potôň, May 28, 2025 - The German circuit Lausitzring was the venue for the second event of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC) season. The weekend of May 24–25 was memorable not only because the championship visited this track for the first time in history, but also for the electrifying atmosphere, thousands of fans, and outstanding racing performances.

Lausitzring, known from DTM and GT series racing, is a combination of high-speed straights and technical sections, making it an ideal place for five-ton truck battles. For many drivers, it was their debut at this track, which is why Friday’s practice session was dedicated to getting familiar with the layout and fine-tuning the powerful trucks.

Saturday: Kiss Strikes Right from the Start

In the first qualifying session, reigning European champion Norbert Kiss (Révész Racing, MAN) clearly dominated. He confidently secured pole position and confirmed his form in the first race of the weekend. Despite a strong start from Jochen Hahn, Kiss didn’t give him a chance and crossed the finish line first with a lead of more than two seconds.

In the second race (with a reverse grid for the TOP 8), the favorites missed out on victory. René Reinert, racing in front of his home crowd, capitalized on his starting position and delivered a clean, mistake-free drive. It was his first win of the season and a strong statement that he’ll be a serious contender in 2025.

Sunday: Kiss Continues in Great Style

Kiss didn’t let up on Sunday either. In the third race of the weekend, he once again dominated – after a flawless qualifying and excellent start, he maintained his lead over Hahn and Steffi Halm. The truck performed perfectly, and Kiss secured his second win of the weekend.

The fourth race had a dramatic course. In the opening laps, an intense battle erupted between Lenz, Albacete, and Janiec, resulting in contacts and minor technical issues for several drivers. In the end, it was once again Norbert Kiss who climbed from third position to the front in the final laps, clinching his third win out of four races at Lausitzring.

Individual Race Winners:

Race 1 (Saturday): Norbert Kiss (Révész Racing, MAN)
Race 2 (Saturday): René Reinert (Reinert Racing, MAN)
Race 3 (Sunday): Norbert Kiss (Révész Racing, MAN)
Race 4 (Sunday): Norbert Kiss (Révész Racing, MAN)

Overall Standings After Lausitzring (Top 5):

Norbert Kiss – 105 points
Jochen Hahn – 81 points
Steffi Halm – 65 points
René Reinert – 56 points
Sascha Lenz – 43 points

The Lausitzring event brought not only new challenges but also a clear message – Norbert Kiss is on a mission for his fifth European title, and no one has managed to stop him so far. However, his rivals, especially Jochen Hahn and René Reinert, have shown signs of strength, and the season is far from over.

Next FIA ETRC 2025 Round: SLOVAKIA RING (June 7–8)

A strong Slovak fan turnout is expected, along with potential surprises in the battle for the top of the standings.

The OMV MaxxMotion Goodyear FIA ETRC Truck Race of Slovakia promises to be one of the season’s highlights. The fast and wide circuit with technical sections tests the limits of both trucks and drivers every year.

Challenges of the SLOVAKIA RING for ETRC Drivers:

1. Speed and Track Length
At 5,922 meters, Slovakia Ring is the longest track on the FIA ETRC calendar. Fast sections like the main and back straights, and Turn 2, demand high engine performance and stress the brakes and cooling systems—crucial factors for trucks.

2. Complex Elevation Changes
Turns like the double right 5–6 uphill and the fast Turn 9 downhill test vehicle stability and driving precision. Trucks can lose grip here, and any driver mistake is immediately punished by lock-ups or running off track.

3. Weather and Asphalt Conditions
June tends to be hot, challenging tire durability and cooling systems. The abrasive surface and sweeping corners increase tire wear. A well-balanced race pace strategy will be key.

4. Home Crowd Pressure
Local fans create a unique atmosphere – especially for Hungarian champion Norbert Kiss, who has a strong following in Slovakia. With the season heating up, pressure is high and mistakes are easily made on this demanding track. Expect intense racing action.

FIA ETRC 2025 – Key Contenders:

Norbert Kiss (Révész Racing, MAN)

Four-time European Champion, current season leader
Fearless on the brakes, extremely consistent
Has never failed at Slovakia Ring – the clear favorite

Jochen Hahn (Team Hahn Racing, Iveco)

Championship legend with 6 titles
Strategic mastermind, especially strong on reverse grids
Excellent truck setup and team coordination

René Reinert (Reinert Racing, MAN)

The pleasant surprise of the 2025 season
Took his first win at Lausitzring
Motivated to succeed outside home soil

Steffi Halm (B2 Racing, Iveco)

Fastest woman in the championship
Very consistent, always in the TOP 5
Expected to perform strongly at Slovakia Ring

SLOVAKIA RING will bring not only tough driving challenges but also key championship points. With potentially high temperatures, a long track, and fast segments, all teams will be pushed to their limits. It's expected that this round could mark the turning point of the first half of the season – and determine who truly has what it takes to challenge Norbert Kiss’s dominance.

More info and tickets available at: https://slovakiaring.sk/