Photo: DTM Media

DTM introduce weight rule change in Russia to fight Audi tactics

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The DTM is again changing the way the performance weights are calculated, with the change taking immediate effect in Russia.

The season started with the weights calculated after each qualifying session, but it was soon determined that it was the race results, rather than qualifying, that should be used to define the variations in weight.

The performance weights were then changed ahead of the third round of the season at the Hungaroring, with the average lap times from each of the six drivers from each manufacturer being taken into account.

The issue was that the manufacturers soon learned how to play the system, with Speedweek reporting the change has been introduced after Audi reportedly ordered their drivers to drive slowly at both the Hungaroring and the Norisring to influence the calculations. The RS 5 DTM is now the lightest car on the grid, despite leading all three championship standings.

New rule from Moscow
The new rule, announced in a DMSB (German ASN) bulletin just ahead of the Russian round of the season, establishes that only the three fastest drivers from each manufacturer will be taken into account for the performance weight calculation.

For each driver, a random number of laps, with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30, excluding laps behind the safety car, will be taken into account to calculate their average race lap.

Each manufacturer will then have a new average lap calculated from their three drivers’ averages and, to the resulting manufacturer lap, the 0.1% and 0.2% rules will be applied.

The drivers have shown discomfort with the ruling, with most, as well as ITR boss Gerhard Berger, having expressed their preference for the performance weight system to be completely abolished, as the Austrian said to TouringCarTimes in an exclusive interview.

“If I were the DTM boss, there would be no weights. Finished!” said Audi driver and standings leader Mattias Ekström to Speedweek. “In sport there is only one winner, not all can win. I can understand the intention behind it, but the weights are not the right solution.”

The outspoken Swede added: “Manufacturers should be allowed to develop the cars, which are actually frozen, over the winter. It would be much better for the fans if one offers them hardcore motorsport and the best one wins and does not work with potato sacks. This has completely escalated recently and all waste much too much time with it. This is not in proportion to what we have to offer.”