DTM organisers selected Munich’s Olympic Stadium for the very first show event in series history (this is a non-points-scoring round). An exciting support program will see MERCEDES GP PETRONAS driver Nico Rosberg run demo laps in his Silver Arrow Formula One car. After five out of ten rounds, Mercedes-Benz leads both the drivers’ (Bruno Spengler) and the constructors’ standings (THOMAS SABO/Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG).
DTM to rock Munich’s Olympic Stadium
1972 Summer Olympics, 1974 Football World Cup, 1988 Football European Cup, 2002 Track and Field Athletics World Championship and now 2011 DTM: having already staged numerous major sports events, Munich’s famous Olympic Stadium now will become the venue of one of the most spectacular motor-racing events of all times. On an extra built racetrack, the DTM drivers will battle it out in knockout duels. The unusual mix of race action in the tightest of quarters, the stadium atmosphere and the man-against-man duels promise to make for a memorable motor-racing event for the entire family. Never before, the motor-racing enthusiasts could get so close to the DTM action!
In summer 2011, Munich’s Olympic Stadium will be the venue of the DTM mega event. On the weekend 16th/17th July, 2011, DTM will go flat out for two days in the Bavarian capital. Witness all the DTM highlights as well as a stunning support programme featuring action, stars, music and more in the unique atmosphere of one of the most impressive stadiums of the world.
Secure one of the sought-after seats for the motor-racing highlight of the 2011 season in Munich’s Olympic Stadium as early as now.
Get ready for a completely new DTM experience: for two days, you will witness in and around the Olympic Stadium all the well-known racetrack features in the tightest of quarters – or, to cut a long story short: a new dimension of motor racing. No matter if on Saturday during the preliminary rounds or on Sunday in the finals: here, the spectators will get even closer to drivers, teams and racing cars. And the event will be contested not only by the DTM aces alone as the partner series also are going to battle it out for the win, in the stadium event.
In the arena, the drivers will battle it out man versus man in the knockout format to find the winner. Meanwhile, international top acts will rock on the stage and fire up the crowds. Altogether, a DTM event that is going to make the heart of every motor-racing enthusiast beat faster.
At the same time, the visitors also will find a lot of interesting action around the stadium: here they can dive into the hustle and bustle of the paddock and promenade through the ‘pit-lane’ to watch the team members during the final preparations for the races at close range. Or meet their favourite drivers to let them fulfil their autograph and photo wishes. Quite obviously, the DTM grid girls also will be on site, in this event.
Bruno Spengler (27, Canada, Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class):“Following my second win of the season at the Norisring, I’m now getting excited about the show event in the Olympic Stadium. Munich is a fabulous city and, for us drivers, it’s going to be a very new experience to race in a stadium – it’s certainly one that I’m looking forward to. I’ve already done a test in the Olympic Stadium and it was great fun, though we only went round in first and second gears. The track is short and slow, so we’ll have to change our driving style slightly to include plenty of drifting and more aggression than we’d normally display on the permanent circuits. The spectators are in for a real treat – it’s guaranteed to be very loud and the people will be much closer to the action than usual. We’ll do our very best to put on an entertaining show.”
Ralf Schumacher (36, Germany, Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class):“In DTM racing, getting close to the spectators is very important, so it’s good that we can offer our many fans this spectacular highlight halfway through the season. I’m convinced that the unique atmosphere of the Olympic Park will make a beautiful setting for the event. As a racing driver, the thing you always want most is to win. But on this weekend, the priority will be to adapt to the compact arena and generally have a great party to celebrate the DTM series.”
Jamie Green (29, England, AMG Mercedes C-Class):“The show event in Munich’s Olympic Stadium will certainly be a great occasion, and I’m looking forward to it a lot. For me, it’s going to be a new experience driving in a stadium. I think it’s a great setting for this kind of event, because the fans will be so close to all the action. But it’s going to be great fun for the drivers, too – there won’t be any points at stake, so essentially it’s all about personal prestige.”
Gary Paffett (30, England, THOMAS SABO AMG Mercedes C-Class):“The DTM event in Munich makes a nice change for us midway through the DTM season. It will be interesting and different to anything we’ve experienced so far in DTM. I don’t know what to expect in sporting terms, but that’s not the main issue this weekend: the aim is to put on a good show for the fans and have fun together. I’m confident that it will be a huge success.”
David Coulthard (40, Scotland, Deutsche Post AMG Mercedes C-Class):“I like Munich as a city, and it’ll be interesting to find out what it’s like to drive the C-Class around the Olympic Stadium. I’ve already competed in the Race of Champions on five previous occasions, in big stadiums in Paris and London. In 2008, I even finished runner-up to Sebastien Loeb, so perhaps that gives me a slight advantage! But ultimately it is all about giving something back to our loyal fans and offering them a unique motor racing experience.”
Maro Engel (25, Germany, GQ AMG Mercedes C-Class): “Because I’m Munich born and bred, it’s obviously something very special to compete in my home city, let alone in the Olympic Stadium where I used to watch Bayern Munich play. In those days, I was sitting in the grandstands. This time, though, I’ll be racing around the arena, so it’s going to be a fantastic experience for me. As for the spectators, they can look forward to a great show. There may not be any points up for grabs, but this is a race that all of us drivers will want to win. Everyone will be going all out for victory.”
Nico Rosberg, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One driver:“I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere in Munich. Driving a Formula One car in an Olympic-size stadium is going to be a new experience for me. I’m curious about the noise factor – I’m sure it will be phenomenal. This is a nice addition to my Formula One routine.”
Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:“DTM has always been innovative, trying out new things and making a success of them. The series is now venturing in a completely new direction by staging a show event in a stadium – and in no less special a venue than the Olympic Stadium in Munich. The fans over the weekend will not only see motor racing up close and personal but will also enjoy a first-class programme of music and see Nico Rosberg perform some demo laps in his Formula One Silver Arrow. We are all looking forward to this premiere in Munich. And even though there aren’t any championship points at stake, you can be sure that all the drivers will be going flat out, because I can’t think of a single one who doesn’t want to be the first DTM Indoor Champion.”
