Photo: DTM Media

Mercedes drivers eager to stay on top at Zandvoort

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Bruno Spengler and fellow Mercedes driver Ralf Schumacher got a flying start of the DTM 2011 season with first and third at Hockenheim.
“The season started exactly as I would have wanted – with a win. But the competition is very strong, so I’m expecting a tight scrap at the front this weekend, and that suits me fine,” said Spengler.

Zandvoort is the host for the second DTM race weekend of the year, not one of Schumacher’s favorites.

“So far, Zandvoort has not been one of my favourite DTM tracks, but given my first podium finish at the season opener at Hockenheim, I am confident that I can build on that achievement,” said Schumacher.

Thomas Sabo AM Mercedes driver Gary Paffett on the other hand likes Zandvoort, obvious in the fact that he has won three times at the Dutch track.

“I’ve already won three times in Zandvoort, including the last two races there; this year, I’m aiming to make it a hat trick with three in a row. The platform for that will be to qualify strongly, which is crucial in Zandvoort because there are so few overtaking opportunities in the race,” said Paffett.

Just as with the Audi drivers, the Mercedes drivers are curious on how the new Hankook tyres will cope with the special sandy Zandvoort surface.

“I am curious to find out how the new Hankook tyres will behave, because we haven’t yet run them at this circuit. In winter testing and at Hockenheim I managed to get the most out of them, so that should also be the case in Zandvoort,” said Schumacher.

Zandvoort is not only special in the sense that the surface is affected by the sandy surrounding, the high speed and fast corners of the track also demands a lot from the drivers fitness.

“I really like the Zandvoort circuit even though I haven’t managed to win there yet. It’s demanding for the drivers, with some fast corners, and requires a high level of fitness, particularly towards the end of the race. But that doesn’t bother me in the slightest because I’m in great shape. The team and I will be doing our race at the front again and improve my record at Zandvoort,” said Spengler.