The 19 year old New Zealander became the youngest ever DTM driver to win a race in the series. Ahead of fellow Red Bull driver and 2018 FIA Formula 2 graduate, Alex Albon who missed out on the podium places after an inspired drive to finish fourth.
Qualifying in seventh, Lawson out-did Albon who was fourteenth for the season opener at Monza.
Driving with Ferrari power behind him, the Red Bull Junior who drives for Hitech GP in FIA Formula 2, produced a fine display in Race 1.
With a superb start off the line and clearing the Lamborghini of Esteban Muth at the first chicane, to move up to sixth before moving up to fifth after Philip Ellis’ retirement in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 car.
As Race 1 began to settle down, the pivotal moment that assisted Lawson on his way to victory was the decision to pit on Lap 9 of 28.
This allowed the Kiwi to come out into the clean air after the Audi pair of Nico Muller and Mike Rockenfeller and Lamborghini driver Esmee Hawkey decided to pit earlier on Lap 5.
Team mate Albon meanwhile in the classy AlphaTauri livery, pitted a lap later and had to fight his way through the traffic to regain track position.
When race leader Abril pitted on Lap 11, Lawson had the edge on the Mercedes driver with his tires being up to optimum temperature compared to the cold tires Abril had as he came out of the pits. Lawson executing his move to perfection on pole-sitter Abril into Turn 2, to take the race lead on Lap 12.
And from there on, the Red Bull Junior never looked back and enjoyed a clear run to take the chequered flag first. Whilst Albon defended Daniel Juncadella in the Mercedes to take fourth.
It was a flawless performance then from Lawson who also displayed a spectacular performance to win on his debut race in FIA Formula 2 at the season opener in Bahrain.
The New Zealander will be hoping to produce an identical performance in Race 2 on Sunday, as both Red Bull drivers impress in their AF-Corse run Ferrari 488 GT3 cars on Red Bull’s return to DTM.
*Red Bull Content Pool
