Ferdinand Habsburg, Sacha Fenestraz and Jonathan Aberdein had an important appointment, this weekend: the participation in the DTM Young Driver Tests. In the 2018 season, the three young talents contested the predecessor of the Formula European Masters and now they convinced by delivering at Jerez de la Frontera.
Ferdinand Habsburg drove a Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM. « To conclude the year with such a test was really great, » said the Austrian. « A DTM car is heavier than a Formula 3 vehicle but it also has got more power and carbon brakes. In addition, it produces more downforce. Altogether, driving the DTM car represented quite a change for me. Furthermore, it’s clearly hotter in a tin-top racer than in a single-seater. I’d never believed that I’d sweat so much, in these tests. » For Habsburg, the 2018 season was the second in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and he secured a podium for Carlin at Misano.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Aberdein tested at the racetrack in Southern Spain at the wheel of an Audi RS 5 DTM and proved to be thrilled, afterwards. « It was big fun and I’m grateful for this opportunity. In consideration of its size I was amazed by the great performance of the car. And in the beginning, the range of vision you have got in a touring car also was unfamiliar for me as I only raced in single-seaters, to date. » The South African was a rookie, this year, and secured three third places for Team Motopark.
Sacha Fenestraz also was a rookie and even gave Carlin a race win, in 2018. The French Renault Junior won a race in his home meeting in Pau and for his achievements he also was rewarded with an invitation to the Young Driver Tests. He also tested with an Audi RS 5 DTM. « I hadn’t expected the DTM car to be so incredibly fast. My stints went really well – apart from a moment in the closing stages when I lost it and hit the crash barriers. I survived the incident unharmed but it goes without saying that it was unpleasant for me to have damaged the car. None the less, the tests represented a unique experience for me. »
An invitation to the Young Driver Tests underlines the close cooperation of DTM and the Formula European Masters. In 2019, the young-gun series will be held exclusively in the DTM support programme.
Press release Formula European Masters
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