DTM – All or nothing for Robert Wickens in Hungary

On the arrival of the first test in Moscow last August, Robert Wicken could have a smile. The Canadian Mercedes had just won on Russian soil, but above all had taken control of the Drivers' championship in his duel against Marco Wittmann (BMW).

Since then, the progress of the driver of the Munich firm towards a second title no longer seems to encounter any obstacles, when, for his part, Wickens had a lackluster Nürburgring meeting, only bringing home a ninth place as best result.

Now also ahead of Edoardo Mortara, Wickens knows that the Hungaroring round will be decisive for his hopes of a first coronation in the discipline.

With 50 units behind, and four races to go (two in Hungary, and two at Hockenheim during the final on October 15 and 16), no mistakes will be allowed in Eastern Europe, but the new characteristics of the Hungarian track could work in its favor.

“Given the championship, it will be a bit all or nothing for us in Budapest, indicates the Mercedes driver. I'm 50 points behind, but I'm optimistic. The Hungaroring has been resurfaced, so this will be a new challenge for everyone.

Since the beginning of the year, we performed well on fairly smooth tracks, like in Moscow. In Austria, we certainly made a few mistakes, but in the end we were fast enough to set the fastest lap in the race. So there are encouraging signs before showing up in Budapest. »

The Hungarian route, however, is not the one that has pleased Wickens the most during his career in tourism. The Canadian only achieved an eleventh place in 2014, the year the discipline last came to the Hungaroring.