Spielberg preview: The hills are alive
For round three of the DTM season, the teams and drivers head to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, for one of the most picturesque and exciting races on the calendar.
The track, then known as the A1-Ring, originally came into use in 2001, one year after the DTM was revived, and remained on the calendar until 2003.
However, various re-construction and extension issues saw the popular Austrian track excluded from the DTM calendar until 2011, after it was purchased by Red Bull owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, and renamed the Red Bull Ring.
The 4.3 kilometer circuit is located in Austria’s mountainous Steirmark region, and is the longest on the calendar. Its characteristics are long straights, undulations and a selection of hairpins; all of which are expected to contribute to a high amount of on-track action and overtaking opportunities.
Following his Brands Hatch disappointment, BMW’s Martin Tomczyk, will be aiming to take his first BMW career victory at a race he finished runner up in last season, and won during his championship year.
“The circuit is simply unbelievable,” said Tomczyk before the event.
“When you arrive in the area and see the glorious scenery, you cannot believe that there is a racetrack there; it’s a modern circuit and offers a bit of everything you want as a racing driver: fast and slow corners, and undulating sections.
“Last year I finished runner-up here, and I actually won in 2011.
“I think I have a good chance to be up there in contention again this year.”
Whilst Tomczyk’s confidence in both his and BMW’s chances around the Austrian circuit is justified, the Bavarian team’s rivals, Audi and Mercedes, also have every reason to be hopeful.
Between 2001 and 2003, Bernd Schneider and Marcel Fässler claimed three wins for the Stuttgart marque, and since the circuit’s revival in 2011, Audi has won both races with Martin Tomczyk and then Edoardo Mortara.
Someone who will be determined to break the Audi stranglehold and restore the status quo, is Mercedes’ Gary Paffett.
The Briton finished third on the track from 11th at Brands Hatch, but following a time penalty, saw him relegated to sixth immediately after the race.
“Our race pace was great at Brands Hatch, and we aim to be among the front-runners once again,” he said.
“Last year, [I] was placed third and finished on the DTM podium for the first time at this track.
“I would really like to repeat a similar showing with my first podium of the season, but would, of course, prefer to be two places up than one year ago!”
Meanwhile, over at Audi, Mike Rockenfeller will be aiming to protect his slim one point championship lead, whilst stablemate and last year’s winner, Edoardo Mortara, will be aiming to get his season back on track after the first two outings of the 2013 DTM season yielded no points.
“Last year, we had a thrilling race there with many overtaking maneuvers,” said Rockenfeller.
“Now, with the DRS and the option tires, there’ll probably be even more action.
“Obviously, after the success at Brands Hatch, I can hardly wait to go out again and battle for the next victory.”
Meanwhile, Mortara will be aiming to make the most of his “special relationship” with the Austrian track.
“We really had two weekends to forget. But I know exactly that I’ve got a good team and a good car – all we need now is a race without incidents,” said the Italian/French driver.
“I see no reason why we shouldn’t manage this at Spielberg.”
So, with a track that’s a firm favourite amongst the drivers; a championship battle that’s slowly heating up and one of the most seemingly open DTM seasons in years, don’t expect Spielberg to disappoint.
But this is DTM, remember. When was the last time it let you down?
Spielberg facts:
Track length: 4.326 kilometers
Laps: 47
Lap Record: Bruno Spengler, Mercedes 1m26.298s (2011)
Weather: Unpredictable
Previous winners:
2001: Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2002: Marcel Fässler (Mercedes-Benz)
2003: Marcel Fässler (Mercedes-Benz)
2011: Martin Tomczyk (Audi)
2012: Edoardo Mortara (Audi)
Schedule:
Saturday 01/06:
Free practice: 09:10 – 10:40
Qualifying: 17:15 – 19:10
Sunday 02/06:
Race: 13:15-15:00
