Mercedes looking to continue historic Norisring streak

Stuttgart’s finest will compete in this weekend’s action at the Norisring, as Mercedes-Benz have cemented their place in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) history with 13 wins out of 15 thus far.

The one man that could potentially provide a welcome result for Mercedes is Canada’s Robert Wickens, who won last year in mixed weather.

“The Norisring is a very special race for me. In the last two years, I’ve been the best-placed driver here and also managed to take pole position both times,” explained the 26-year-old, who was the highest placed finisher following Mattias Ekström’s exclusion from the race in 2013.

“I hope that I can carry on that sort of form at the weekend. The atmosphere in Nuremberg is always amazing. The fans are so close, and in any case, competing on a street circuit is something that I’ve always found to be a lot of fun.”

The Norisring has seen Mercedes at the peak of its powers, whenever they venture to the “Franconian Monaco,” especially when it comes to top speeds around the 2.3km track.

This was echoed by 2012 champion, Paul di Resta, who felt that the Drag Reduction System (DRS) will play a part in what happens in the racing this weekend.

“I hope we can play a good role in both races at the weekend. Last year, the car felt great at the Norisring. Unfortunately, I got spun round before the start, which meant that the race didn’t go optimally. At the Norisring, it’s always important to have good brakes and good traction.”

Along with the Scot, DTM rookies Maximillian Götz and Lucas Auer are eager to put themselves and their C63 AMG DTMs to a tough test around the street track itself.

““The Norisring is a sort of home race for me. I’m obviously pleased whenever my family and friends are at the track and cheering me on. But as soon as the lights go out, it is just a race like any other for me. I drove my first race at the Norisring in 2002,” said Götz, who finished on the podium four times in Formula BMW.

“My last race in Nuremberg was in the 2008 season, which is quite some time ago. But I’ve prepared myself well in the simulator, and I’m eager to get back in the car. It would be great if I could score my first DTM points in my home race this weekend.”

Alongside BMW’s Tom Blomqvist, Auer is another driver that has graduated from Formula 3 to DTM, and is keen to make a welcome impression: “I’m looking forward to the Norisring. The fact that it’s a street circuit makes it a very special and challenging track. I’m very confident that we will be stronger than on the last two race weekends, and I’m going to the Norisring feeling upbeat.

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve done a lot of work with the team and trained hard, so I’m feeling very well prepared.”