Audi Sport braces itself for a great logistical challenge in the DTM
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters sees important changes to the racing weekend format in 2015, with two races per event and shortened qualifying time. Dieter Gass, Head of Audi Sport for the DTM, is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Back at the 2014 season finale in Hockenheim, Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of ITV e.v., the series promoter, announced that 2015 would see two races per event, in a bid to increase the show following demands and suggestions from the fans. Last week, it was revealed that each race would have a single, separate, 20-minute qualifying session.
Dieter Gass highlights the effort manufacturers and organisers are making to offer a better show for the fans. “We manufacturers extensively discussed the new format with the ITR as the marketer of the series and the German Motorsport Association (DMSB) for a long time. There were numerous constructive ideas and proposals. I think we came up with a good approach.”
“The DTM fans can look forward to a thrilling season and to DTM weekends with high entertainment value. One thing happens right after the other and our teams still have a lot of work to do especially after the first race on Saturday.”
Gass is fully aware that the new format will make even more important every spare moment in between racing sessions, with less room for error: “We are driving two races per weekend this year, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. After the first race, there is not much time to prepare the cars for the next day, especially if there are any accidents during the race. This will be a great logistical challenge. We’ll have to make even better use of every minute.”
With the added disappearance of the option tyres, the doubled racing time makes of rubber management a primary issue for the teams. The shortened qualifying time, with a 20-minute session with all cars on track, poses a further challenge. “The tyres have to last for 40 minutes in the first race. That’s basically not a problem but may well pose a minor challenge on some of the race tracks”, explained Gass, adding “I’m already curious to see if anyone will be bold enough to go out only once in order to save a set of tyres for the race; the grid position is too important for that. It’ll be thrilling for the fans.”
The drastic changes for the qualifying format will increase the importance of the setup work done during free practice, leaving little room for error and a lot of action to be seen during the races. As Dieter Gass explained: “There’s only a 20-minute qualifying session now per race. The fastest driver is in front. With 24 cars now and such a short time, going out on track and not getting into traffic will be crucial. Qualifying and the grid position are particularly important in the first race because without a pit stop the drivers can only overtake on track. That’s why they can activate the DRS, in other words the adjustable wing flap, three times per lap this year. This is intended to result in as many overtaking maneuvers as possible, of course, during the second race on Sunday as well.”
Each race every weekend will award full points. Dieter Gass thinks this will increase the possibilities of keeping more drivers involved in the fight for the title until the end of the season: “One or two races without points does not automatically mean that there’s no longer a chance of winning the championship. I’m assuming that we’re going to see more drivers in the battle for the title for a longer time in the future. We are the only manufacturer with an unchanged line up, and I see that as an advantage for Audi.”
The 2015 DTM season gets underway at Hockenheim on the 3rd of May.
