The recently opened Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria plays host to the third race of the DTM Touring Car Championship 2011 at the weekend. Here are five drivers to look out for.
The circuit in the heart of the Mur Valley in South-West Styria (around 50km from Graz) officially re-opened at a special event over the weekend of May 15/16, which included displays from various teams, including Red Bull Racing.
The FIA Historic Formula One Championship provided the headline race attraction with a race on each day for Formula One cars from the 3 litre period, international superstars Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Loeb were all in attendance.
The DTM action begins this Sunday and these five should be there or thereabouts on the 4,326km track.
Mattias Ekström (Sweden) – Audi
The Swede began the season with an injured hand, but has finished in the points both races so far and is currently fourth in the drivers' classification. As a Red Bull driver, Ekström has an extra incentive to win at his 'home' track and as he explains: "I hope that I won’t receive a tenth-of-a-second-penalty in the qualifying session as compensation!" he joked. "But seriously, I think that contesting a kind of a home event gives you a good feeling - just as it is the case in football. I would be delighted if the numerous fans, the environment and the name of the circuit would give my fellow Red Bull driver Miguel [Molina] and me additional wings."
Bruno Spengler (Canada) – Mercedes Benz
Mercedes have a great record in Spielberg, having won all three of the DTM races staged there between 2001 and 2003. This season's leader, Spengler, is looking to carry that trend on in 2011. "One win and a second-place finish in the first two races - no matter which way you look at it, it’s been a good start to the season," Spengler said. "Obviously, I would have preferred to win in Zandvoort, but the most important thing is that we were genuine contenders there. This is a good omen for the upcoming races and for the title chase. I’m looking forward to driving my C-class at Spielberg on a track that I know well from the past. I’m convinced that we’re going to have a lot of fun driving on this circuit and - who knows - maybe I can take another win here like I managed in the past. In any case, I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got.”
GEPA Pictures/Christian Walgram
Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) – Audi
The 27-year-old moved up to second place in the classification behind Spengler with a win in Zandvoort after finishing out of the points in the opening race and he's in the mood to continue that form in Austria. "I’m happy to be traveling to the Red Bull Ring with the Zandvoort victory in my pocket," Rockenfeller said. "I’m hoping that we’ll have a good car there from the outset - as we did at Zandvoort and Hockenheim. I’m confident. I remember the track from the Porsche Carrera Cup and liked it very much then. I think the track should suit me well.”
Martin Tomczyk (Germany) – Audi
It's been an impressive start to the 2011 season for the Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver, who has 10 points from the first two races and lies in third place overall going into Sunday's race. "It’s been eight years that I last drove at the Red Bull Ring," Tomczyk said. "It used to be a really nice race track. We can expect that again. The beautiful circuit is surrounded by great scenery. However, it will be new to all of us because the tarmac and the curbs will be new although the track’s layout has remained the same. How the relative strengths between Audi and Mercedes will pan out remains to be seen. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to continue our string of good races there."
Ralf Schumacher (Germany) – Mercedes Benz
Schumacher the younger made a great start to the season with a third place in Hockenheim and the Salzburg resident is looking to racing on his local track this weekend. “The DTM race in Austria is like a home race for me," Schumacher said. "Spielberg is a really beautiful circuit that is in perfect harmony with the wonderful Styrian landscape. It has now been updated as a modern and safe track with generous run-off areas, and the pit complex has been completely rebuilt. The layout offers some good overtaking opportunities, so we can expect some wheel-to-wheel battles and overtaking, especially through the first few corners.”
Want more?
- Head to redbull.com's DTM event page
- Event page for DTM at the Red Bull Ring
- Click here for more motor sports
- Watch video highlights of the Red Bull Ring opening
- Check out the official DTM site
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