Christian Vietoris predicts ‘interesting take’ on strategy

Mercedes’ Christian Vietoris predicts a shift away from standard stint race strategies at this weekends season finale at Hockenheim.

The HWA team driver feels that because the new-for-2013 option Hankook tyres were initially ran at this season’s opener at Hockenheim in May, the teams, for the first time, will be able to use the knowledge already obtained.

As a result, Vietoris feels the teams will be using this information to build their race strategies this weekend.

“It will be particularly interesting this weekend to observe the strategies of the different teams,” said Vietoris. “For the first time at a track, race data for the new option tyres will be available to us.

“That could lead to some interesting takes on race strategy.”

The 24-year-old is also aiming to repeat his performance from this year’s season opener, when he took his maiden DTM podium with third at Hockenheim.

“My objective is to finish the year this weekend just as successfully as I began it; the season started very well for me in Hockenheim with my first podium finish in the DTM.

“Unfortunately, our recent results have not met expectations and were not what we required, but I’m confident that we can fight our way back to the top at Hockenheim.

“I’m currently third in the overall standings and have thus fulfilled this year’s goal, which was to finish among the top five in the championship.”

Just four points separate Vietoris on 71-points from HWA team-mate Gary Paffett, who is sixth in the drivers’ standings on 67.