Preview – Hockenheim hosts DTM 2011 opener
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters kicks off at Hockenheim this weekend. This is the final time the championship runs with the current frozen regulations ahead of the switch in 2012. But there are still a number of new factors for this season that is going to mix the field right up, especially the new Hankook tyres.
DTM switches to Hankook from Dunlop ahead of this season. The new tyres has been constructed to be as similar as possible to the Dunlop tyres. This is because of the frozen regulations that hinders Audi and Mercedes from changing the cars to suit eventual changes in tyre characteristics.
While both Audi and Mercedes drivers report that the Hankook tyres are more or less the same as the Dunlop tyres, there are changes to be expected in the balance between Audi and Mercedes. Even the slightest changes in characteristics of the new tyres compared to the old can drastically change the balance in favor of some cars or drivers, something that has been obvious in the past when Dunlop has changed the tyre compound.
The drivers from the two different manufacturers have not tested together yet which further underlines the uncertainty of the difference in performance between the two.
Last season saw Mercedes dominating the championship, with Paul Di Resta, Gary Paffett and Bruno Spengler making the title fight exclusive for Mercedes.
Audi is without a doubt out for revenge this season and will have none of the Mercedes domination of the 2010 premiere when Jamie Green headed a Mercedes 1-2-3-4. Audi has been the dominant force of the season opener if we look backwards in time, with three wins in three years from 2007 to 2009.
The DTM 2011 field is as strong as ever with the regular top drivers such as Timo Scheider, Gary Paffett, Mattias Ekström and Bruno Spengler, as well as new drivers such as Filipe Alburquerque, Christian Vietoris, Edoardo Mortara and Renger van der Zande.
The 2011 season also includes a non-championship round at the Munich Olympic Stadium which will feature Race of Champions-style races. That event will also mark the first time for BMW to officially take part in a DTM event since 1994, as a preview for 2012.
