Why the Space-Drive-System will only be used by the Mücke-Team in the DTM in 2022 and the squad is currently dependent on the test carrier for tests
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Peter Mücke’s racing team will be the only car in the DTM this year to be equipped with the space drive system. Thus, Schaeffler-Paravan is relying on a new strategy, because last year not only Maximilian Buhk’s bolide, but also Timo Glock’s Rowe-BMW and Sophia Flörsch’s Abt-Audi had the electronic steering on board.
That this might have something to do with the system working better in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 than in other cars is nonsense, according to Mücke. “It’s a top story and we had zero problems with it”,
“Everything else had to do with the fact that the drivers who also had it on board were very new to GT3 and needed their time to get into it. “
“You have to be used to GT3 cars for that “
In fact, neither Glock nor Flörsch, for whom the system was finally upgraded before the Spielberg weekend, unlike Buhk’s Boliden, had much GT3 experience under their belts last year. This is in complete contrast to the 29-year-old Mücke driver Buhk, who has been active in GT3 racing since 2012 and never complained about the system.
According to Mücke, this has nothing to do with Buhk’s adaptability. “Another GT3 specialist can also cope with it, it’s just that you have to be used to GT3 cars,” the experienced team boss clarifies.
A GT3 car is “not a race car like any other – and operating it requires a lot of experience. You can’t just beat the guys who sit in there every weekend, even if you have the best career. “
Why Schaeffler-Paravan will only back Mücke in 2022
But what is the reason that Schaeffler-Paravan no longer relies on three different DTM cars to collect data for the development of the system that is expected to play a key role in the future with regard to autonomous driving?
That the further development of the system in racing has now reached a stage where it is no longer necessary to distribute it over several cars. One is getting into areas of detail where there is no profit in having an inexperienced GT3 driver behind the wheel.
What role Maximilian Buhk plays
This is also the reason why Winward rookie David Schumacher, who has Schaeffler-Paravan as a sponsor, will be using conventional steering in the DTM. And why the contract extension with Buhk at the Mücke team was also in the interest of Schaeffler-Paravan.
The driver from Dassendorf, who finished third in last year’s DTM season finale at the Norisring, the first podium finish with a car without a steering column, knows the system and can therefore feel even minimal changes to the software. This enables him to give valuable feedback.
What role does the Mücke team play? “We are the deployment team and provide the data, but we do not develop the system further,” explains Peter Mücke. “Schaeffler-Paravan does that itself. “
Mücke’s DTM bolide not yet ready for 2022
By the way, the Mücke team is not currently testing the car that Buhk will be driving in the DTM in 2022. This is because the team is receiving a new car from Mercedes-AMG, in which the space drive first has to be installed, which can now be done in just a few days.
At last week’s test in Le Castellet and this week on Tuesday and Wednesday in Imola, Buhk will still be driving the Schaeffler-Paravan test vehicle: That space-drive-equipped Mercedes-AMG GT3, which usually competes in the GTC Race Series, has now been fitted with the Evo package and is on the same level as the other Mercedes-AMG cars in the DTM.
In contrast to last year, continuity should also be ensured with the drivers in 2022. As a reminder: Back then, Buhk was only used because ex-champion Gary Paffett, who had originally been scheduled to drive, cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
Buhk then had to miss the Hockenheimring weekend due to a clash of dates with the ADAC GT Masters itself and was replaced by Marvin Dienst. “The plan is for Maximilian Buhk to contest all the races this year,” clarifies team boss Mücke.
