The second round of the DTM Season will be held in Valencia this weekend, May 23rd and as Norbert Haug put it, it is the “premiere of DTM”.. Valencia’s circuit is new and state-of-the-art. Following its opening, on 19th September, 1999, it quickly established as a popular and renowned motor-racing venue. You can see nearly the entire racetrack from every grandstand. Turn one is particularly fast and on the way to turn two, the drivers are offered overtaking opportunities that are just as good as the ones in the infield.
Below, a selection of statements from the Mercedes-Benz DTM Team before the second race of the 2010 DTM season.
Gary Paffett, DTM Champion in 2005, runner-up in the 2009 season, and winner of the first DTM race of the 2010 season in Hockenheim:
“Winning the season opener at Hockenheimring gave me a perfect start into the new season. The course in Valencia confronts us with challenges which are partly different from those in Hockenheim. Valencia has many twists and turns that are very demanding on car and driver. After many laps of Formula 1 testing, I am very well acquainted with the circuit and it would be ideal if I could defend my lead in the standings there.”
Jamie Green took third place as best driver of a past-year model in the first DTM race of the 2010 season in Hockenheim:
“Hockenheim showed that I can compete with the best, and my third-place finish was a good start. The differently banked curves make the circuit in Valencia especially demanding, and finding a good setup is the key to success.”
Ralf Schumacher, fastest driver on all four test days in March 2010 in Valencia:
“I am especially looking forward to Valencia. The course suits me well and I clocked good times here during the winter tests. We shall see what they are worth up against competition. I’d like to make up for the mishap in the qualifying in Hockenheim with a good result here.”
David Coulthard, competing in his second DTM race in Valencia:
“Although my showing in my first DTM race was anything but impressive, I really enjoyed my debut in Hockenheim. Together with the team I analyzed the mistakes I made and where I have to improve. I definitely want to work on my qualifying performance – a good starting position is important to get a good result on the narrow course. I am very familiar with the circuit from many Formula 1 tests, but that doesn’t mean to say that this will be a big advantage to me in the DTM car.”
Norbert Haug:
“For Valencia this is the premiere of the DTM, but the course isn’t new to drivers and teams since pre-season tests took place there. We’ve won seven of the last ten DTM races and will try to deliver a good piece of work in Valencia too.”
