Mirko Bortolotti nearly suffered a devastating third disqualification of the year after claiming a strong second place in the DTM Saturday race at Hockenheim, running out of fuel in the final metres and parking his Temerario GT3 at the end of the start-finish straight. As Motorsport.com reports, the Italian driver feared the worst because the regulations demand that a mandatory fuel sample remains in the tank after the chequered flag. It would have been a brutally cruel blow in what has already been a difficult 2026 campaign with the new Temerario GT3, especially after he was previously stripped of an Oschersleben victory via disqualification, compounded further by the Abt Lamborghini exclusion following a second-place finish at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.
Thankfully, mathematics and quick radio communication saved the day. When the dust settled, exactly 1.4 kilograms of fuel remained in the machine, comfortably clear of the 0.7-kilogram minimum required by the rules. Team boss Gottfried Grasser admitted everyone was trembling in the garage, noting that the regulations also dictate a car must cross the start-finish line under its own power. Grasser had proactively contacted race control on the radio to report the vanishing fuel and receive instructions on where to safely park the beast.
Race director Sven Stoppe advised the team to avoid heavy braking on the straight and to park the car safely on the right of the wall near the pit exit. Grasser explained that completing a full slowing-down lap required 2.2 kilograms, making an immediate stop the only viable path to survival. Hockenheim is notorious for high fuel consumption, and the Lamborghini family—inheriting traits from the older Huracan GT3 alongside the McLaren—remains remarkably thirsty on fuel.
Not everyone enjoyed such fortune on the weekend. Bastian Buus, the Land Porsche youngster who secured Sunday pole and a robust fourth-place finish, suffered a harsh disqualification on Saturday after initially crossing the line 11th because his car was found to be too light. Technical delegate reports revealed the Dane carried a mere 0.049 kilograms of fuel instead of the mandatory 0.7 kilograms, leaving stewards with zero flexibility to spare the Porsche from exclusion.
For Bortolotti, the second-place salvage job provided a much-needed highlight in a campaign where his other top results included three fifth places at the Lausitzring, Oschersleben, and the Nürburgring. The former champion ultimately secured 13th in the overall standings, sitting just two points behind Abt driver Luca Engstler in 12th. Yet, that final championship position might still change pending a potential FIA appeal hearing regarding the 25 points from his disputed Oschersleben win, which could elevate him to ninth overall.
