From 19th to 21st May, the Lausitzring once again will be the venue of top-class motor racing. And the spectators should fasten their seat belts. After all, the spectacular race action at the Hockenheimring truly thrilled the crowds and made them expect the second race meeting of the season to provide more of this. The numerous innovations and modifications in the popular touring-car series pay off. The 2017 season promises to be a special one – in several respects: faster racing cars, new aerodynamics, new tyres, identical race distances, points for the three fastest drivers in the qualifying sessions and even more closeness to the fans than ever.
The second DTM race weekend of the season is named ‘Motorsport Festival Lausitzring’. Following the successful premiere in 2016, the programme at the circuit located further east in Germany than any other once again will feature a heavy load of motor racing. DTM will be accompanied by the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC Formula 4 and the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany – an unequalled event package that makes sure than nobody will get bored.
Auer travels to Brandenburg as championship leader The two days at Hockenheim were incredibly turbulent and thrilling. On Saturday, Auer (Mercedes-AMG) won and was joined on the podium by Glock (BMW) and Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) who thrilled the crowds with his comeback from 16th position on the grid to finish third. In the second round the rain made a big impact on the race action. And those who had thought that it wouldn’t be possible to exceed the excitement and diversification of the Saturday race were proven wrong. In the end, neither the weather gods nor a five-second pit-stop penalty could stop Jamie Green. From his third position on the grid, the Audi ace secured a superior win, followed by Gary Paffett (Mercedes-AMG) and reigning champion Marco Wittmann (BMW) who amazed the spectators by battling his way up from 17th position on the grid. In the championship Auer currently holds the lead with 40 points on his tally, with Green and Paffett (26) behind him being tied for points. Following his successful start into the season, the Austrian hopes for being able to repeat the success he celebrated in 2016. « I have to admit that I’m somewhat excited and want to know what will happen, this weekend, » he admits. Returning to the Lausitzring one year after my maiden DTM win is something special. I can’t wait to find out how the balance of power will prove to be at another circuit. Last year, the Motor Festival proved to be an incredible event. »
So it’s ‘Let’s get ready to rumble » at the Lausitzring. Audi’s Mike Rockenfeller just can’t wait for the second chapter after the great kick-off of the refined DTM. ‘Rocky’ scored in both races and in the first, he thrilled the crowds by starting on 16th position on the grid to finish third. « DTM is really big fun again, » said the 2013 DTM Champion. « For a long time I haven’t looked forward to a DTM weekend as much as I’m doing now. And I think this also applies to the spectators. » BMW’s Timo Glock who made for drama on the level of a Hitchcock thriller when pressurising Auer and trying to steal the Austrian’s win, in the closing stages of the race, also looks forward to racing at the Lausitzring. « It will be an incredibly spectacular event for the fans. I can’t wait to find out how competitive we will prove to be this year and look forward to packed grandstands an many fans in the paddock. »
Electrifying overtaking manoeuvres, spectacular comebacks and pure motor racing. That’s what the fans at the Lausitzring will be provided. Thanks to the new regulations, the races were thrilling from the start to the chequered flag. The new tyres, the fact that the pits weren’t allowed to contact the drivers via radio and the smaller pit crews for the pit stops jumbled the order up again and again and offered the teams additional tactics options. But first of all, the importance of the driver has been clearly increased.
DTM at the finger tips for the fans At the Lausitzring, the fans once again will experience motor racing within their grasp. No matter if the Fan-Village with a lot of entertainment and the food trucks, the pit walks on Saturday and Sunday morning that allow the participants to watch the teams practicing the pit stops or the fan terrace. The Hockenheim weekend already provided the fans numerous innovations that were thankfully embraced by them. And without doubt, the Pit-View will be the true highlight of the weekend. Three garages, one per manufacturer, will be open for the holders of paddock-ticket holders, thus allowing them to get insight into the ‘sanctum’ of the teams. From an empty garage, the fans can watch the work in the two adjacent garages during the majority of the sessions and they also have got free view of the pit lane in front of the garage. And when one of the DTM racers passes by, the thunder of the 500bhp V8 engines can be heard and felt. The fans embraced this offer thankfully. « That’s the goal, we need a really good show, » stresses Jamie Green. » We have got the Pit View, all the other steps also were made in the right direction for the fans – and in addition, we drivers have got a lot of fun on the track. »
Press release DTM
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