Which cars should benefit from the later DTM start times on the first Lausitzring race day and why the schedule is a challenge for the mechanics
The upcoming DTM weekend at the Lausitzring will feature unusual starting times on Saturday: Qualifying will not start at 10 a.m. but at 1:30 p.m. – and will be broadcast live on TV for the first time. And the race will not start until 5 p.m. due to the coordination with the Ice Hockey World Championship, which will also be broadcast by TV partner ProSieben.
But how will this affect the drivers and teams on Saturday? “It’s probably a bit better for our car because we prefer to drive in warmer conditions,” reveals Abt Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde. In addition to the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, the higher track temperature could also bring advantages “for the Porsche and maybe even for the Lamborghini”, he believes.
What does the South African mean by that? Especially since the switch to Pirelli tires a year ago, it has become even more important in the DTM to get the tires up to temperature in qualifying without the banned heating blankets
Why Audi & Co. should benefit from late qualifying
The Lausitzring is a particularly tough nut to crack in this respect with its undulating but smooth asphalt. In addition, this year’s race weekend will not take place in August as it did last year, but in spring.
However, the later qualifying start time in the early afternoon means that higher temperatures can now be expected on Saturday. And this is generally better for the mid-engined cars from Audi, Lamborghini, Ferrari and McLaren as well as the rear-engined Porsche, which often suffer from the front axle not engaging at low temperatures.
Front-engined cars such as the BMW and Mercedes, on the other hand, have enough weight on the front axle to ensure that the Pirellis are in the right window more quickly and deliver the desired grip level.
Engstler is right to start the race later because of success ballast
One person who also sees an advantage in the later start times is DTM leader Luca Engstler. “On Saturday, we have an extra 20 kilograms,” says the Grasser Lamborghini driver, alluding to the success ballast that he now has to live with in the upcoming race due to his Sunday victory at Oschersleben.
“That’s why I’m quite happy if it takes place later rather than in the blazing sun at midday,” he says, seeing the 5 p.m. start time as an advantage in terms of tire degradation.
Challenge for the mechanics
On the other hand, the postponed program is a challenge for the mechanics: if damage occurs during the race, there is not much time to repair it. The chequered flag will drop just after 6 p.m. – and qualifying is already on the agenda at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Engstler is pleased that he himself will be able to sleep in on Saturday morning. But for his boys, the schedule on Saturday evening is “a bit more difficult. By the time we’ve finished our final meetings and the engineers have handed out their final set-up sheets to the mechanics, it’s already late,” says the son of racing legend Franz Engstler, who used to help out with his own team and can therefore put himself in the mechanics’ shoes.
The same applies this year to Maximilian Paul, who is competing in the DTM with his Lamborghini family team. The Dresden-based squad is also expecting many guests at this weekend’s race, which takes place around 60 kilometers from the team’s headquarters.
The fact that there are no sessions on Saturday morning this weekend is not a bad thing for him. “You can take good care of the sponsors and then concentrate on the job you have to do,” he says.