Marco Wittmann tops the first day of testing at Hockenheim
BMW Motorsport driver Marco Wittmann recorded the fastest time in the first of four official DTM pre-season test days at Hockenheim.
Wittmann completed 131 laps around the Baden-Wüttemberg track at the wheel of his BMW M4 DTM to set a best lap time of 1:32.378, about two seconds slower than last year’s pole position. It’s worth keeping in mind is that the technical regulations have been modified for 2018, with a significant reduction in 30% of downforce.
Audi’s Nico Müller was second fastest, followed by team-mate Mike Rockenfeller, half a second off the pace.
Bruno Spengler was fourth, with fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus next up. Edoardo Mortara was the fastest of the Mercedes drivers in sixth, a second from Wittmann’s time, with series returnee Pascal Wehrlein next, although the 2015 champion only drove during the morning session.
Mercedes’ Gary Paffett was eighth with Audi’s Jamie Green behind him. The tenth and final runner was Paul Di Resta, who took over from Wehrlein in the afternoon, finishing 1.5 seconds off the pace.
Testing resumes tomorrow at 9:00 CET, with Robin Frijns, Loïc Duval and reigning champion René Rast on duty for Audi. Timo Glock and series’ newcomers Philipp Eng and Joel Eriksson will get behind the wheel for BMW, with Pascal Wehrlein, together with Lucas Auer and Paul di Resta driving for Mercedes.
