Christian Vietoris aiming to keep top-three championship position

Mercedes’ Christian Vietoris aiming to consolidate his third place in the DTM drivers’ championship, and push for second in the standings, starting this weekend at Zandvoort.

The HWA team driver had a difficult weekend last time out at Oschersleben, and failed to score.

Vietoris dropped from second to third in the drivers’ standings on 71 points; 20 behind second place man Augusto Farfus, who is now the only man who can challenge Mike Rockenfeller for the drivers’ championship, with two races of the 2013 DTM season remaining.

“My goal for the rest of the season is to defend my third place in the overall standings and perhaps even be runner-up,” said Vietoris. “That would more than fulfil this season’s goal of a top-five finish in the championship.”

The 24-year-old is also aiming to move on from his difficult Oschersleben race at Zandvoort.

He finished on the podium at the Dutch circuit in 2009 whilst contesting the Formula 3 Euro Series with Mucke Motorsport.

“Zandvoort is a really cool track but also represents a real challenge for us drivers [as] there are many fast turns, some of which are proper white knuckle affairs.

“The race is one of the highlights on the racing calendar from a driver’s point of view, especially in the second sector, [because] you can gain or lose a lot of time.”

“The Oschersleben weekend was very tough for me right from the start and I will do my best to consign my disappointment to history by securing a decent result at this very demanding Zandvoort track.”