Edoardo Mortara eager ahead of fresh challenge with Mercedes
Mercedes AMG and Edoardo Mortara are ready for the 2017 season, after a winter of tough preparations that saw the Italian switch manufacturers from Audi to Mercedes.
Mortara will race in his seventh season at the wheel of a C63 DTM. The Italian not only has a new car and team to discover: the year starts with fresh technical and sporting regulations, with Hankook’s new compound adding a further new element to the competition.
“I’m looking forward to my first weekend with the team after winter testing. We’ve worked hard all winter to face the fresh challenges posed by the new cars and new tyres. We found some good solutions for setup at the final week of testing in Hockenheim. Of course, we’ve still got to continue to improve a bit, but I feel optimistic about our ability to be competitive. I’m now looking forward to the first two races in my new car”, said Mortara.
Experience will be key with so many variables in hand. Gary Paffett faces his 14th season in the DTM as one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, having completed extensive pre season testing for Mercedes.
The Briton is cautious about the challenges of the new season: “The team have done brilliantly well with the new car. Nevertheless, it will be very close, as our competitors have been working as hard as us. The new tyres especially will be a huge change for us. Driving back out on cold tyres after a pit stop will be quite new to us. We’ve gone through plenty of simulations, but it’s something very different when you have to do it for the first time at a race weekend.”
2016 title contender Robert Wickens pins good performance on qualifying results, with the new regulations rewarding with points the first three on the grid. “The tests went well for me. An important factor will be whether I can be as strong in qualifying as last year. If we can manage that, then we can benefit under the new regulations, all being well”, said the Canadian.
Mercedes AMG will start its 400th race in the DTM on Sunday. Team boss Ulrich Fritz praises the team effort during the winter and believes his men are ready for the challenge: “Staff have worked hard these last few months, and everyone now wants to see the results of their work on the track. The mechanics will have even more demands placed on them and carry an even greater responsibility for the progress of the races. I’m curious to see how the teams handle it.”
“We’ll also be celebrating a very special anniversary on Sunday, marking the 400th time since 1988 that our team has competed in the DTM. We’ve achieved 175 victories so far. That’s an outstanding performance and one that makes you proud to work for the brand with the three-pointed star”, concluded Fritz.
