DTMs confirm increasing performance in testing

The stables of DTM were able to finalize their preparation for the 2019 season by participating in four days of testing at the Lausitzring from Monday to Thursday.

It was Audi which set the benchmark with a lap completed by Robin Frijns in 1'35''169 on Wednesday. The manufacturer at the Rings had nine RS 5 DTMs available for the session. The squad was made up of a chassis reserved for testing, two models from Abt Sportsline, the Rosberg and Phoenix teams as well as a model for the new WRT team.

“We learned a lot, confirmed Audi Motorsport Director Dieter Gass. We know from experience that no one reveals all their cards, but it's always nice to see their cars at the top of the rankings. We have more work than usual with these modified cars and the turbo engines, but we will be able to arrive with confidence at Hockenheim (May 4). »

BMW only achieved the 6th fastest time with Joel Eriksson while the Propeller brand had brought together three of the six models which will be entered this year.

“We learned at every turn covered, said BMW sporting director Jens Marquardt. The first two days didn't exactly go as planned, but the whole team didn't let up on their efforts. We were able to rack up the miles afterwards and have a much better understanding of the car as a whole. »

R-Motorsport was further behind, the first Aston Martin Vantage only ranked 9th with Jake Dennis.

“Our long stints which allowed us to complete 3610km provide us with good information to develop the Aston Martin Vantage DTM, commented the team's Team Principal, Dr. Florian Kamelger. We were able to identify and eliminate a few defects, as is often the case in these tests. We are very satisfied with the regularity of the times, knowing that we were not looking to set the best times. »

The reference time established by Robin Frijns is 2 seconds faster than the best time last year set by Lucas Auer, already on Audi. The new DTMs now have a 4-cylinder turbo instead of the V8 which develops around 610hp, or 100hp more than the 8-cylinder. Weight has also been reduced by 45kg to 986kg.