Photo: DTM

DRS and option tyres confirmed for 2013 DTM

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The DTM organisation, ITR, has confirmed the introduction of a Drag Reduction System (DRS) and option tyres for the coming 2013 season of the German championship.
“Together with the DMSB and the manufacturers, we again have achieved a variety of measures, like the option tyres and DRS. Formula 1 has shown, how well these measures can work. The first tests in the DTM also have proven it,” said Hans Werner Aufrecht, Chariman of ITR.

The teams tested the DRS and option tyres during the first official DTM test of the year at Barcelona a couple of weeks ago.

The DRS system allows for the driver to adjust the rear wing from the cockpit during the races to get more top speed. The system is only active when a driver is within two seconds from another driver in front of him on the main straight, once per lap.

The rear wing is titled by 15 degrees through a pneumatic system, allowing for speeds to increase by five to seven km/h. The system will activate three laps in to the race and de-activate three laps from the finish. The system will also be de-activated during the first three laps after a safety car session.

The option tyres from Hankook are of softer compound and allows for lap times up to 1 to 1.5 seconds faster compared to the regular tyres. The option tyre degrades faster, meaning that the drivers have to be careful on when to use them. All drivers get one set of the option tyres for each race weekend, only to be used in the race, and is mandatory to use each race weekend. The option tyre is going to be marked with a yellow color on the tyre wall.

Two pit stops are mandatory during each race. Pit stops are not allowed during the first and final three laps of the race.

The DTM season starts at Hockenheim on the 5th of May.