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Just a few days prior to the second round of the DTM at Brands Hatch, Auto123.com talked with reigning series' champion, Bruno Spengler about the introduction of the DRS and the Hankook option tire.
At the opening race in Hockenheim, Spengler qualified seventh and finished the race in fifth place - his BMW M3 having possibly lost downforce due to a broken aerodynamic device. The Canadian intends to fight for the win at Brands Hatch, UK this weekend. Spengler has never won there, having captured two second places in 2010 and 2012.
Overall, Spengler said he is satisfied with the introduction of two new technical rules in DTM: the DRS (Drag Reducing System) and the option tire.
“We did not know what to expect before Hockenheim,” said the Canadian to Auto123.com. “But it is clear that the DRS helped the overtaking manoeuvres, and helped to improve the show on the track. When it's activated, the gain in top speed is evident.”
“Moreover, the option tires also played their roles, giving us a gain of performance,” Spengler added.
“Before the race, we just didn't know how long they would run before being destroyed. From my point of view, they were really good during a long period of time. I had a set of option tires for the first laps of the race and, after a change to the standard tires; we decided to fit a set of option tires for the final stint of the race.”
“That was pretty risky, because we did not know if the tires would make it to the end. Finally, I set consistent lap times almost until the end as they faded away. But it is impossible to say how the option tires will behave at another circuit, with different types of corners and different air temperatures. We will see that this weekend at Brands Hatch.”
At the opening race in Hockenheim, Spengler qualified seventh and finished the race in fifth place - his BMW M3 having possibly lost downforce due to a broken aerodynamic device. The Canadian intends to fight for the win at Brands Hatch, UK this weekend. Spengler has never won there, having captured two second places in 2010 and 2012.
Overall, Spengler said he is satisfied with the introduction of two new technical rules in DTM: the DRS (Drag Reducing System) and the option tire.
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| Photo: DTM |
“We did not know what to expect before Hockenheim,” said the Canadian to Auto123.com. “But it is clear that the DRS helped the overtaking manoeuvres, and helped to improve the show on the track. When it's activated, the gain in top speed is evident.”
“Moreover, the option tires also played their roles, giving us a gain of performance,” Spengler added.
“Before the race, we just didn't know how long they would run before being destroyed. From my point of view, they were really good during a long period of time. I had a set of option tires for the first laps of the race and, after a change to the standard tires; we decided to fit a set of option tires for the final stint of the race.”
“That was pretty risky, because we did not know if the tires would make it to the end. Finally, I set consistent lap times almost until the end as they faded away. But it is impossible to say how the option tires will behave at another circuit, with different types of corners and different air temperatures. We will see that this weekend at Brands Hatch.”