The DTM Series returns to Germany for the fourth round of the series at the Norisring.
Audi‘s Rene Rast has taken over control of the championship after a dominant display last time out at the Hungaroring which saw him claim his maiden victory as well as pole position for both races.
Rast has a good track record at the Norisring, highlighted by his success here back in 2012, whilst the German was competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup, taking pole position twice, won both races and set the fastest laps in the races.
“I like city circuits. The Norisring is a great challenge. It’s bumpy and you have to brake late – that suits my style.”
As well as topping the Drivers’ championship, Audi are leading the Manufacturers’ championship and Audi Sport Team Rosberg are the Teams’ leader.
Having been the championship leader going into the Hungaroring, Mercedes‘ Lucas Auer now sits in second place of the championship trailing Rast by only one point after a disappointing weekend which saw him leave Hungary pointless.
“The Norisring has always been a mega circuit for Mercedes in the past, but I personally also associate the street circuit with many positive memories. The Norisring is my favourite track on the DTM racing calendar. It’s a street circuit with many long straights, and there are also always plenty of spectators there. I’m sure we’ll be able to give the fans a great show this weekend. The racing will be great at the Norisring as it is every year. The race weekend is an absolute highlight every season. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Third placed man in the championship Jamie Green is nicknamed ‘Mr Norisring’ after claiming four victories (2008-10, 2012) on the 2.3 kilometer street circuit.
“There are other DTM tracks I find more challenging to race on,” says the Briton. “But for the fans, the circuit is perfect. And that the Norisring suits me well is something I’ve not only proven by having won there four times. I’ve always been fast there.”
Green also had a difficult weekend at the Hungaroring which saw him get disqualified from seventh place in the opening race of the weekend following a technical infringement with Audi originally planning to appeal the decision but did not go through with it.
Timo Glock in seventh place of the championship is the best placed BMW driver after his second place finish in the Saturday race at the Hungaroring.
“The atmosphere at the Norisring is always fantastic. We’ll have to wait and see how well it works out for us from a racing perspective. We will certainly try to get the maximum from the only street circuit on the race calendar. I hope we will be able to pick up a few more points.”
It has been a difficult start to the series for the Bavarian outfit, with home favourite Marco Wittmann hoping for a better weekend with the encouragement of friends and family behind him.
Last year it was a weekend of firsts with Tom Blomqvist starting from pole position for the first time following Mattias Ekström being handed a three place grid penalty promoting the Briton to the top spot on the grid.
Christian Vietoris also started from pole position for the first time in his career.
Nico Muller claimed the first and currently only victory of his career thus far on the Sunday.
