The last time the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters headed under the floodlights was 15 years ago, when the Nürburgring saw the fight for Super Pole take place during the night in 2003.
But this coming weekend, the series will be racing under floodlights for the first time in its 34-year history for the next two races, taking it’s first trip to Italian soil since 2010, when DTM headed to Adria International Raceway.
Two weeks ago saw another return for the DTM to Brands Hatch after a five-year abscence, which saw Daniel Juncadella take his first career win, along with Gary Paffett continuing to lead the standings, ahead of Scotland’s Paul Di Resta.
The backdrop for rounds 13 and 14 of the 2018 campaign take place at the 4.226-km Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with home talent in the form of Mercedes’ Edoardo Mortara and racing legend Alex Zanardi, driving for BMW as a wildcard, helping to boost the party atmosphere at the Emilia-Romagna track.
In terms of the championship, Paffett leads Di Resta by only 29 points, with the former having taken his second win of the season to close out a welcome result at Brands Hatch.
Two-time champion Marco Wittmann and Austria’s Lucas Auer are within striking distance of the two at the head of the standings, both equal on 110 points, ahead of Mortara and initial season points leader Timo Glock, who are both on 101 points.
The increasing spectacle that DTM is providing through new tracks and new adventures will be further bolstered by ex-Alfa Romeo DTM driver Alessandro Nannini being present during the weekend, who raced with the Italian marque between 1993 and 1995.
Mercedes also are continuing their run of good form in their final season of competition, leading both the team and constructor championships, having asserted their stronghold on the series once again.
Several drivers that have had more than their fair share of night-time driving will have somewhat of an advantage this coming weekend, but with how close the battles have been so far, Misano could add something special for the fans and the viewers to enjoy.
DTM Misano TimeTable (All times CEST – BST + 1 hour)
Friday, August 24th
2i30 – Free Practice One – 30 minutes
Saturday, August 25th
1715 – Free Practice Two – 30 minutes
2000 – Qualifying for race one – 20 minutes
2230 – Race one – 55 minutes plus one lap
Sunday, August 26th
1640 – Free practice three – 30 minutes
2000 – Qualifying for race two – 20 minutes
2230 – Race two – 55 minutes plus one lap