With the first test of the 2017 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters at Portugal’s Portimaõ circuit set to come to an end tomorrow (Thursday, February 23rd), it sees the last chance for all three brands to complete work on the “hybrid” prototypes ahead of the March 1st homologation deadline.
2010 champion Paul di Resta is expecting a shake-up this year, which sees the first major regulation change for the DTM since the new coupé-based cars were introduced in 2012.
“The new rules for 2017 will definitely add more spice to the races,” said the HWA driver, who feels that the “show” for the fans should improve again, which could make for exciting racing with a closely-knit 18 drivers.
The Scot, who finished fifth in the drivers’ standings last year, feels that his experience of three years in Formula One will hopefully help him manage the new standard Hankook tyres, which are of a softer compound.
“The most important change is certainly the new tyres, in particular how fast they degrade and how they behave during qualifying and racing.
“You have to manage them properly to get a decent result. The most important thing for us, however, is to provide the fans with good entertainment.”
With a new change in aerodynamic regulations for 2017 and beyond, the new silhouettes will be sporting more mechanical grip, more power and a heavily-revised Drag Reduction System.
It will see increased top speeds, faster lap times and a lot more input from the drivers themselves.
“At the moment, we’re not testing in the finalised car, but even at this stage, I can feel the differences in the aerodynamics,” explained the 30-year-old, who is looking forward to the speed increase that is set to come with the new cars’ engines and softer tyres.
“In addition, there are no blankets for keeping the tyres warm any more. This could ramp up the action during the pit stops, with some cars sliding around on cold tyres while others on warmed up tyres go on the attack.
“All in all, these are great ideas which the drivers have argued for in the past. I’m now hoping that it all goes to plan and that it increases the entertainment factor.”
The seven-time race winner has been helping the Stuttgart brand alongside fellow former champion, Gary Paffett, in testing, with last year’s runner-up, Edoardo Mortara, set to take the wheel of a Mercedes in 2017.