Photo: Audi Sport

A lap around the Nürburgring with Audi’s Filipe Albuquerque

By

For Audi’s Filipe Albuquerque, the 2013 DTM season has not been particularly kind.

Despite not opening his points account as of yet this year, the Portuguese driver will be keen to score at the Nürburgring this weekend, after he managed to score last year at the famous circuit.

Before the cars head out for practice and qualifying tomorrow, Albuquerque took the time to explain what makes a good lap around the 3.6 kilometre track.

“The start is a big long straight, so you don’t see the first corner. Then you start going down, brake hard from sixth gear to second gear, and there is a big difference of apex going down. Your inside wheel goes up, then full gas open wide, and change to third.

“Then you approach the Mercedes arena, and it’s very tricky to brake for this corner as you are still cornering and you can lock the front tyres. Keep tight at the exit, then dive to prepare for the next corner, so a small lift will prepare you very well for the pit straight.

“Now we reach the shortcut, from fifth to third or second, depending on the driver and set up you have; brake deep into corner, so it’s going down and then lock the front right tyre because the front right tyre goes in the air. Then turn back, touch the inside a little bit, and go to the high kerb at the exit which stops you from going off.

“Then we approach a very fast section. You approach this left hand corner in third gear going inside the kerb, which depends on the car, and open the throttle a bit, but not too much, because you have to prepare for the right hander. It’s a very nice corner going down, smooth and gentle, and you get a little understeer; the exit is great as you get more speed going down, so it’s fantastic for the long straight.

“This is easy to take flat out, even when it’s raining. You really have to be on it here, because the guys analysing the data will tell you you’re being a sissy if you’re not..

“Then we approach the chicane. You have to brake hard from sixth to second and sometimes miss the inside apex. Then make a good exit for the short straight; it’s a little bumpy, but nice.

“In the last corner, you go from fourth to third, or in the race, second. It’s bumpy under braking on turn-in, and when you approach the middle of the corner, it’s quite easy and the throttle is open.

“Then go onto the fake grass, and that’s a lap of the Nurburgring in the DTM.”