‘The Ring’ is calling. After three race meetings abroad, DTM now returns to Germany. From 07th to 09th September, 2018, the touring-car aces racing for Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG will thrill the Nürburgring crowds. This weekend, the tradition-rich circuit will stage the 15th and 16th rounds of the 20-race season – and the battle for the DTM title enters its thrilling closing stages. With 186 points on his tally, Paul Di Resta travels to the Eifel mountains as championship leader while fellow Mercedes-AMG driver Gary Paffett encountered a weekend to forget at Misano and dropped back to second position, nine points behind Di Resta. The third-placed driver, Edoardo Mortara (138 points), also represents the Mercedes-AMG colours.
In consideration of the situation at the top of the drivers’ championship standings it comes as no surprise that Mercedes-AMG also hold the lead in the team and manufacturers’ standings, with seven race meetings contested. In addition, the Nürburgring suits the Stuttgarters well. In 30 years of DTM history they celebrated 32 wins in the Eifel mountains. And three of the drivers of the current Mercedes-AMG line-up have already won a race at the Nürburgring: Paffett, Mortara and Auer. In 2017, Mercedes-AMG clinched five of the six podiums available. « Misano was a difficult weekend for me, » admits Paffett who had to leave Misano empty-handed – to add with a lot of fighting spirit: « But we were fast, nevertheless. I know the Nürburgring very well and will try to regain the championship lead, there. »
Reasons to celebrate: Anniversaries at Audi and BMW
At Audi and BMW, both the manufacturers and some drivers will celebrate anniversaries. The race on Sunday will be the 100th for BMW since they made their comeback in 2012. Augusto Farfus raced for the Munich based manufacturer from the very beginning and consequently, it also will be the 100th DTM race for him. Meanwhile, it’s the 100th DTM race for Bruno Spengler as BMW driver. The Canadian who raced for Mercedes-AMG before switching to BMW contested a total of 171 races since his debut in 2005. In the DTM drivers’ standings, however, another BMW driver holds the best position. Prior to the Nürburgring weekend, Wittmann (112 points) is the fourth and best-placed BMW driver in the championship standings. And as there still are 168 points to be scored, the championship chances of the 2014 and 2016 title winner are still alive. Fellow BMW driver Timo Glock (107 points) follows in sixth place, behind Lucas Auer (Mercedes-AMG / 110). « Returning to the Nürburgring is always nice. This circuit is connected with special feelings, » reveals Glock. « I just can’t wait to see what kind of weather we will have to cope with in the Eifel mountains will as we already had wet races at Misano. »
At Audi, the Saturday round at the GP circuit’s 3,629-kilometre sprint version will be a very special home race for Mike Rockenfeller. ‘Rocky’ joined the touring-car series in 2007 – and he is far from being tired of racing in DTM. « 12 years are a long time. DTM is extremely demanding and that’s why racing here is so much fun. And I’m really looking forward to the new 4-cylinder engine with even more power that will be used from 2019. » However, neither Rockenfeller nor his Audi Sport Team Phoenix that is based just a few hundred metres away, in Meuspath, have succeeded in winning one of their home races. « The anniversary would be the perfect occasion, » adds Rockenfeller. The German secured his last podium to date in the season kick-off at Hockenheim by finishing second and his best Nürburgring result also was a second place. The best-placed Audi driver in the championship is René Rast. The reigning champion clinched three podiums in the last five races – and with 93 points scored he worked his way up to seventh position in the standings.
Thrilling racing cars on the track…
The Nürburgring has not only got a special significance for the drivers but also for DTM. It is traditionally good. Since the DTM debut season, in 1984, the Nürburgring has been a constant on the DTM calendar. The visitors may look forward to an entertaining weekend with a multifaceted support programme. In addition to DTM, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup and der FHR (Fahrergemeinschaft historischer Rennsport e.V. – Driving Association Historic Motor Racing) will provide fascinating on-track action at the Eifel circuit. The historic FHR vehicle will go out for 20-minute demo laps both on Saturday (from 11:55hrs CEST, 10:55hrs BST) and Sunday (from 15:10hrs CEST). The series comprises GT and racing sports-cars from the years 1966 to 1988. The interesting grid features classics such as the Porsche 917, Mercedes 300 SL, BMW M1, De Tomaso Pantera, Opel GT or Ford GT40. The racing cars of the past can be admired throughout the weekend in the perfect environment: the Nürburgring’s historic paddock.
… and great off-track entertainment
In addition to the motor racing, the Nürburgring weekend also provides the visitor great music – in the ‘DTM After Race Party’ at the Müllenbachschleife. The biggest open-air party in Germany features numerous pop stars, such as Mickie Krause, Michelle, Mia Julia, Michael Wendler and – for the first time – Maite Kelly and Oli P. With their weekend tickets, the DTM fans already can attend the ‘Mia Julia & Friends’ concert beginning at 19:00hrs CEST on Friday. On Saturday, the Saturday and weekend ticket holders will be granted access to the ‘Olé Party’ where they can party from 18:00hrs CEST until midnight.
Tickets are available online at www.dtm.com/tickets. The two DTM rounds at the Nürburgring will be covered by DTM.com and the official DTM App, where all the practice and qualifying sessions as well as the races will be streamed live and free of charge.
Press release DTM
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