Mercedes not surprised by Lausitzring form

Mercedes’ head of DTM, Wolfgang Schattling, has told TouringCarTimes that he felt the basic ingredients were there for the manufacturer to take victory at the Lausitzring.

Both Mercedes teams, HWA and RSC-Mucke, had until last weekend, endured a difficult start to the DTM season, and were the only manufacturer to have failed to win in any of the first three rounds of the year.

Despite having strong race pace, the team’s main problems were in Saturday’s qualifying sessions after the drivers were unable to maximise the C-Coupe’s potential.

However, the team returned to form last weekend at the Lausitzring.

Christian Vietoris took his maiden DTM career pole in qualifying, and HWA team-mate Gary Paffett lined up second.

In the race, Paffett took victory and Vietoris finished third, whist whilst Robert Wickens, Daniel Juncadella and Roberto Merhi also scored valuable points.

“Gerhard Ungar and our whole team have just completed two weeks of intense work,” Schattling told TouringCarTimes. There are two factors that should be taken into account: we have tested extensively here at the Lausitzring, and the data we have compiled has come in very useful.”

He also believes that Mercedes’ strike rate of eight from 12 win around the Eastern German circuit prior to Paffett’s win, also put the team at an advantage.

“The Lausitzring has traditionally been a circuit where Mercedes has performed well, and we have registered a considerable number of victories here.

“The basic conditions were already there, and when you’re really on song, that’s when top results like this become achievable.”

However, Schattling refused to be drawn into whether the Lausitz result will set the tone for the rest of Mercedes’ season, given the close nature of the DTM which has seen all three manufacturers take victory from the first four races.

“On Sunday, we had what it took,” he said. “But we need to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground.”