Photo: BMW & Mercedes Media

Positive DTM test for Timo Glock and Robert Kubica

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Timo Glock and Robert Kubica completed their first ever DTM test in Spain today for BMW and Mercedes respectively.
“My first impressions of the BMW M3 DTM were very positive. It did not take me long to get used to the car, and I came to understand it better with every lap,” said Glock.

Kubica completed a total of 114 laps for Mercedes in the AMG C-Coupé and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
“My first day of testing in a DTM car was great fun and I learned a lot about the series and the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe,” said Kubica.

The two test days at Valenica were the first of the year for the BMW and Mercedes, with one of the days being cut short due to rain.
“The first installation lap was in the dry, then a few heavy showers of rain came down and we had to wait for the track to dry out. All in all, it was a good experience, getting to know the car in different weather conditions,” said Kubica.
“The fact that we were able to test in all conditions, from wet to dry, was perfect,” said Glock.

The test was the first for Kubica with a car producing a lot of downforce since his rally accident that severely injured his hand and arm.
“I was able to get to grips with the DTM Mercedes AMG C-coupe and felt very comfortable in the car, even though after my long break it meant adjusting to the high downforce that a state-of-the art DTM race car produces. I’m very pleased with my performance on this first day of DTM testing and had no problems whatsoever in the car,” said Kubica.

Overseeing Kubica’s test was newly appointed Mercedes Motorsport head Toto Wolff.
“We all obviously like Robert. He’s very special. I think what we want to do at Mercedes-Benz is give him a chance of doing a proper test in a proper racing car, seeing how he goes and how he feels. He’s not 100 per cent fit yet. It’s the first time he’s in a car with downforce and I think we have to take it from there,” said Wolff.

Also present during the test days were regular DTM drivers such as reigning champion and BMW driver Bruno Spengler.
“As soon as I stepped out of the plane in Valencia, I was immediately looking forward to getting back in the car after the long break. It was a very special feeling to drive out of the garage with the number one on my car for the first time. On the opening few laps it felt as though I had never got out of the car after the 2012 finale in Hockenheim,” said Spengler.