From the dunes to the Alps – DTM to race at Spielberg
The close situation in the championship turn Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring during the DTM weekend into the Mecca for every motor-sport enthusiast.
Jamie Green, Audi Sport Team Rosberg Audi RS 5 DTM
XPB Images
Which driver will become the 2015 DTM Half-Time Champion? This question will be answered on Saturday, 01st August, in Austria. Then, the Red Bull Ring will stage the ninth of this year’s 18 DTM races. Five DTM drivers still have got the possibility to secure this unofficial title. The racing is extremely close, in DTM. A situation that was achieved – inter alia – by dint of the new regulations. Just as it has been the case in every race meeting since the beginning of the 2015 season, the race weekend in Styria also comprises a qualifying session and a race both on Saturday and Sunday.
So, the motor-racing enthusiasts may look forward to witnessing spectacular battles and enthralling race action, from 31st July to 02nd August. The close situation in the championship and an extensive support programme turn Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring during the DTM weekend into the Mecca for every motor-sport enthusiast.
Audi, the dominator
At Hockenheim and the Lausitzring, Audi proved to be the dominator, at the Norisring, Mercedes-Benz outperformed their competitors and at Zandvoort, BMW raced in a class of their own. The consequence: the battle for the championship lead is extremely close. And nobody is able to say who will be in the lead after the Spielberg weekend. But the top five certainly will be particularly motivated. In the first race, started at 18:20hrs CEST (17:20hrs BST), championship leader Jamie Green (81 points) his fellow Audi drivers Mattias Ekström (76 points) and Edoardo Mortara (58) as well as the Mercedes-Benz pairing Pascal Wehrlein (76) and Robert Wickens (57) will have the chance of securing the half-time championship title.
Ekström is eager on racing in Styria and believes that his chances of being successful in his adopted home country look bright: “For me, the race weekend at the Red Bull Ring is a home meeting. I have not only contested races at Spielberg but also many other events. I really like the circuit.” Mercedes-Benz Team Principal Ulrich Fritz also is very confident: “Following the races at Zandvoort, the situation on the grid is well-balanced. Yes, I think that we will be able to deliver at Spielberg.”
BMW camp
Meanwhile, the BMW camp travels to Austria with massively boosted confidence. After all, the Munich based manufacturer secured the first seven places in the Saturday race at Zandvoort and the top five positions on Sunday. “I’m just extremely happy,” said António Félix da Costa, the winner of the Sunday round. “And now we are going to push to the max, at the Red Bull Ring.” Following the Zandvoort meeting, reining champion Marco Wittmann suddenly also is back in the battle for the title. Having won on Saturday and finished fifth on Sunday he has got 49 points on his tally and holds seventh position in the championship. “That was balm for the soul,” said Wittmann. In addition, he and BMW have fond memories of the DTM venue in Styria. Last year, Wittmann won the race and the following three positions also were secured by DTM drivers.
Mercedes, an extra dose of enthusiasm
In the meantime, the lilac Mercedes-AMG C63 of Team ART Grand Prix will make for an extra dose of enthusiasm on the grandstands as it is raced by Austrian Lucas Auer who arguably will be supported by the majority of the visitors, in his home meeting. Nonetheless, the DTM rookie isn’t the only compatriot the Austrian crowds can cheer for, on the Red Bull Ring weekend. Philipp Eng from Salzburg, for instance, travels as Porsche Carrera Cup Germany Championship leader to his home country.
The DTM weekend in Styria will be kicked off on Friday, 31st July.
DTM
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