If you can take your eyes off Miss World long enough then redbull.com has five Ones to Watch for the DTM season opener at the Hockenheimring, Germany, on May 1.
Rosanna Davison, the daughter of singer Chris de Burgh and a former Miss World, will be on hand to usher in the world’s premier touring car championship in its spiritual home this weekend.
At the risk of losing our thread before we’ve even begun, let’s press on...
Mattias Ekström (Sweden) – Audi
Disappointing by his own high standards last season, the Swede, fifth overall in 2010, is determined to make a fresh start in 2011. "This year, I’m really looking forward to the Hockenheimring. It’ll be a completely new competition with the new Hankook tyres. All expectations are focused on us,” says Ekström, referring to DTM’s new and exclusive tyre partner. The Swede missed part of the pre-season with an injury sustained while playing volleyball but is confident of bouncing back. “My own expectations are very high too. Last year I was struggling a bit. This year I've tried a lot of new things during my preparations this past winter. That’s why I’m looking forward to qualifying and to the race with great anticipation."
Martin Tomczyk (Germany) – Audi
"Travelling to the Hockenheimring is always a special highlight," says Tomczyk who finished eighth overall in 2010. "Not only because I really like the track but also because the response by the crowd is incredibly strong - not just at the end but also at the beginning of the season. Everyone is already pawing the ground, and the fans want to see us live. It’s always a very special feeling. And it’s a very nice atmosphere which you enjoy as a racer too. We’ve been very successful on this track in recent years and I’m hoping to manage a good start to this year too."
Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal) – Audi
One of the new additions to the Audi stable, the performances of the young Portuguese will be something to keep an eye on this season. The Race of Champions’ champion defeated Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory in Düsseldorf last November so his credentials certainly stack up. "I’m an Audi driver - this is the dream of many racers today. I can hardly wait to compete at Hockenheim. It’ll be the first race in the DTM and a test of my own performances. I’m really looking forward to this. This championship is simply great.”
David Coulthard (Britain) – Mercedes
It was a difficult debut season in DTM for DC but having finally got his first point in the season finale in Shanghai, the 40-year-old believes his apprenticeship in the AMG Mercedes C-Class is at an end. He said: "I learnt a lot last year, and have laid good foundations for my second season. After gaining my first point at the final race of the season, I would like to make my fans happier this season by scoring points more often."
Gary Paffett (Britain) – Mercedes
The winner of the season opener in Hockenheim last year struggled to maintain that blistering form initially but still came out on top in races in Zandvoort and Shanghai to finish second overall behind the Formula One bound Paul di Resta and the Brit should be in contention for the title again this year.
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