A trio of prominent guests are due to attend the DTM season opener on the weekend of May 3rd/4th at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. Football legend and Laureus Ambassador Franz Beckenbauer will be joining Germany’s top contenders for the Formula 1 title, namely current championship leader Nico Rosberg and fourth-placed Nico Hülkenberg.
Sahara Force India Mercedes driver Nico Hülkenberg has been booked in for Saturday when qualifying takes place in the world’s most popular touring car series. Fans at the circuit will have two opportunities to see Hülkenberg close up during his visit: he will be signing autographs and talking about his Formula 1 season so far first at Mercedes-Benz Erlebniswelt (situated behind the Mercedes grandstand) and later at a ‘Meet the Drivers’ session in front of the Mercedes-Benz hospitality suite.
On Sunday, it will be MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS driver Nico Rosberg’s turn to entertain the fans in a joint appearance with Franz Beckenbauer at the Mercedes-Benz Erlebniswelt complex. They will both be giving interviews on the stage behind the Mercedes grandstand and will then follow up by signing autographs. Immediately afterwards, Rosberg will be putting in a number of demo laps at the wheel of the original Formula 1 Silver Arrow, namely the W 196 in which Argentina’s Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 world championships. Nico Rosberg has an earlier appointment on Sunday 4th May at 9:30am in the Baden-Württemberg Center when he will be answering questions from the press.
Timetable for the DTM season opener at Hockenheim:
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Saturday 3rd May
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Time
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Event
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Venue
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14:30
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‘Meet the Drivers’ autograph session with Nico Hülkenberg and the entire Mercedes-Benz DTM squad | In front of the Mercedes-Benz hospitality suite |
| 15:00 | Press conference with Nico Hülkenberg | Mercedes-Benz hospitality suite |
| 16:00 | Interview with Nico Hülkenberg | Stage of Mercedes-Benz Erlebniswelt |
| Sunday 4th May | ||
| Time | Event | Venue |
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Press conference with Nico Rosberg | Baden-Württemberg Center, 4th floor |
| 10:55 – 11:15 | Interview and autograph signing with Franz Beckenbauer and Nico Rosberg | Stage of Mercedes-Benz Erlebniswelt |
| 11:55 – 12:00 | Nico Rosberg in demo drive of 1954 W196 Silver Arrow |
Nico Rosberg: “I’ll be fascinated to see what happens in the DTM season opener at Hockenheim. New rules, revised specifications and no fewer than seven champions on the grid should make for an exciting season. Obviously, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for my fellow Mercedes-Benz drivers as they launch into the new campaign. Whenever time permits between the Formula 1 races, I keep myself updated on what’s going on in the DTM – it’s series I know well from when my father was a competitor. I’m really looking forward to seeing the crowds of fans at Hockenheim and especially thrilled about the prospect of driving the original Formula 1 Silver Arrow that Juan Manuel Fangio used to race in. It’s always a very special feeling to drive one of the legendary Silver Arrows.”
