With six races completed so far in this year’s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters campaign, there have been four race winners to date, with one of them is now leading the championship that heads to the streets of the Norisring this weekend.
Mercedes will look to assert its dominance around Nuremberg once again, as the Stuttgart manufacturer’s success rate was dealt a hefty blow in both races, as both Nico Müller and last year’s runner-up Edoardo Mortara took a win a piece to bring glory by the Dutzendteich to Ingolstadt.
However, it wasn’t without controversy, with the clash between Mattias Ekström, Christian Vietoris and Robert Wickens putting the cat amongst the proverbial pigeon, which led to over a decade and a half of dominance being ended.
This year, there will be very close racing, coupled with even closer times between all 18 drivers during qualifying, which saw last season’s crop of drivers be separated by just half a second.
Even with the customary bumpy surface testing all the teams and drivers and varied changes in road tarmac around the 2.3km circuit, there will be more work in store for everyone.
The combination of the new tyre compounds, revised aerodynamics and lack of tyre warmers will put everyone on notice, but will see higher top speeds and more drivers trying to risk more to gain success.
With the top six drivers at the head of the drivers’ standings split by just 16 points coming into this round, it is still very unclear as to who will be leading the way after the battle along the river banks.
Just before this weekend, there has also been a major announcement regarding the new DTM Cup trophy that will be unveiled at the Hockenheim finale this coming October.
A competition has been instigated by rights holder ITR e.V., with the lucky winner getting a top-line VIP experience at the final round, including a meet and greet with DTM stars, a race taxi ride, as well as handing this year’s champion with their trophy.
Past and present DTM machinery will be a welcome attraction for the fourth race weekend of the season, as thirty cars will take to the city streets for the Tourenwagen Classics, celebrating the eras of the series over its colourful history.
Norisring Timetable (All times BST + 1)
Friday, June 30th
Free Practice 1 – 1700 (30 minutes)
Saturday, July 1st
Free Practice 2 – 0845 (30 minutes)
Race 1 Qualifying – 1120 (20 minutes)
Race 1 – 1328 (55 minutes plus 1 lap)
Sunday, July 2nd
Free Practice 3 – 1110 (30 minutes)
Race 2 Qualifying – 1400 (20 minutes)
Race 2 – 1728 (55 minutes plus 1 lap)