TouringCars.Net previews the forthcoming Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season and the drivers who, despite numerous wins, have not taken a title and are not relatively new to the series.
Between them they have 15 race wins, but none of these more experienced DTM drivers have yet taken the title. The closest has been Augusto Farfus, who finished runner-up to Mike Rockenfeller in last year’s battle despite it being only his second season in the DTM.
Brit Jame Green is the most experienced of the non-title winners, entering his tenth season in the DTM after 93 race starts. Miguel Molina is perhaps surprisingly the second most experienced on 41 starts, with the Spaniard entering his fifth season in the DTM despite only having scored one podium finish.
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Augusto Farfus
| Seasons: 2 Starts: 20 Titles: 0 Wins: 4 Podiums: 8 Poles: 3 |
Augusto Farfus joined the DTM having spent six years racing in the World Touring Car Championship previously. The Brazilian made an immediate impresssion, winning once and scoring three podiums in his début season to finish the year as the best newcomer. Farfus went even better in 2013, winning a further three times to take the title fight to Mike Rockenfeller. The 30-year-old eventually finished the year as runner-up, with a trio of non-points finishes costing him.Expect Farfus to be one of the fastest drivers in 2014 and to mount another title challenge for BMW. |
Christian Vietoris
| Seasons: 3 Starts: 30 Titles: 0 Wins: 0 Podiums: 4 Poles: 1 |
German driver Christian Vietoris enjoyed a strong season in 2014, finishing fourth overall and as the best Mercedes driver. The 25-year-old scored four podiums and his first pole position during the year, but a maiden win eluded him.Eight points finishes in ten races was more than Vietoris achieved in the two year’s he had raced in the DTM previously. Vietoris has proven he can be consistent and now he just needs to find something a little extra special to challenge at the very front. |
Robert Wickens
| Seasons: 2 Starts: 20 Titles: 0 Wins: 1 Podiums: 3 Poles: 1 |
Canadian Mercedes’ pilot Robert Wickens enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough year in 2013, taking his first pole position at the Norisring and his first win at the Nürburgring. Indeed, Wickens’ victory at the Nürburgring was thoroughly deserved, with the 25-year-old demonstrating strong overtaking prowess in changeable conditions.Wickens could challenge compatriot Bruno Spengler’s title of top Canadian in 2014, providing Mercedes are able to give him a car quick enough – and consistent enough – to challenge for more wins and, crucially, pole positions. |
Jamie Green
| Seasons: 9 Starts: 93 Titles: 0 Wins: 8 Podiums: 21 Poles: 7 |
In 2013 Brit Jamie Green endured his worst season since joining the DTM in 2005, finishing outside the top ten and scoring just one podium at Oschersleben. It was also his first since leaving Mercedes, with Green joining the leading Abt Sportsline team.For 2014 he moves to Audi Sport Team Rosberg and with the transitional period now over at Audi, Green will be hopeful of moving back to challenging for the title. He is more than capable – his eight wins and 21 podiums are proof – and Green is certainly committed – his willingness to learn German shows a commitment to the DTM and racing in Germany. |
Joey Hand
| Seasons: 2 Starts: 20 Titles: 0 Wins: 0 Podiums: 0 Poles: 0 |
Joey Hand is the DTM’s first and currently only American driver – a role he has fulfilled since joining the DTM in 2012. Hand improved on his début season in 2013, scoring on five occasions in a campaign which marked a clear improvement on 2012.Hand has continued to compete in the United States, including racing in the start of the inaugural United SportsCar Championship for BMW Team RLL. However Hand admits that his focus for now is on Europe and the DTM and with the ambition to be the first American to stand on the DTM podium – a goal which seems realistic. |
Adrien Tambay
| Seasons: 2 Starts: 20 Titles: 0 Wins: 0 Podiums: 1 Poles: 0 |
2014 will be Adrien Tambay’s third season in the DTM and sees him remain with the Team Abt Sportsline outfit. The Frenchman made his début in 2012, scoring just two points finishes during the year on his way to tenth overall in the standings (helped by an impressive podium finish in Spain). During 2013 Tambay became more consistent and a string of points finishes in the second half of the year helped him to 14th in the championship.At 23, Tambay has plenty of years to continue to learn in the DTM, having graduated from single-seater racing to join the touring car scene. |
Miguel Molina
| Seasons: 4 Starts: 41 Titles: 0 Wins: 0 Podiums: 1 Poles: 2 |
Miguel Molina needs to deliver in 2014. The Spaniard is entering his fifth successive season in the DTM and after four years has secured a best championship position of 10th (2010). After almost missing out on a seat in 2013, Molina again went almost unnoticed for the first half of the campaign, with a run of four points finishes in the second half of the season saving his seat for 2014.The 25-year-old has speed – his two pole positions, taken in 2011, attest to that. But Molina really needs to impress this year or faces fading away in the ultra-competitive DTM field. |