DTM drivers with huge respect for Nuremberg street circuit

Norisring is unlike any other race track on the DTM calendar. It is the only street circuit, the only circuit in the city, it is the “Franconian Monaco”. Anticipation among the DTM drivers is mixed with respect for the challenge at hand. “You have to get as close as possible to the wall,” Ricardo Feller said in the press conference prior to DTM Norisring powered by BMW M (1 till 3 July) about the wall at the exit of the Schöller-S. The young Swiss who celebrated his maiden DTM race win with his ABT Audi R8 at Imola most recently, will be racing at Norisring for the first time, has used videos in preparation and wants to take a closer look at the particularities of the circuit during the track walk on Thursday. “I know how wide my Audi is,” a self-confident Feller said. There, Prince Leopold of Bavaria, who has competed in many races at Norisring since 1967, can only smile: “I have lost at least ten mirrors against that wall.” American Dev Gore, meanwhile, is particularly looking forward to Norisring: “I like street circuits, I know such tracks, especially from back home in the US,” the surprising second-place finisher from Imola with the Rosberg Audi, said. “Fans can expect two action-packed races at Norisring,” Maximilian Götz (WINWARD Racing Mercedes-AMG) is convinced. He secured his maiden DTM title at his home track in October last year. “It is about time to be on the podium again,” Götz underlines his goal for his home race. To achieve that, he wants to improve in qualifying in particular to obtain a better starting grid position than in the previous rounds of the season. But the qualifying format at Norisring is different, too, as the 27 race cars will be split in two groups at the 2.3 kilometres long circuit. “I know this format from my karting days,” Götz says. “This system works well.” Marco Wittmann, living only a few kilometres away from the track, is also positive about the qualifying arrangement as it gives every driver a bigger chance of a clear lap. “It is a good solution, fair for everyone.” The two-time DTM champion is particularly positive about the cooperation with Scot Elkins, the DTM race director. “Scot Elkins is absolutely open to our ideas. There is a close, open exchange between us as the drivers and him, it really is exemplary.” Götz and Wittmann also expressed positive opinions about the extended pit lane during the video press conference. “That is a great effort by everyone involved from Motorsport Club Nürnberg and ITR.” For the record field of 27 race cars in DTM, the non-permanent pit lane was extended from 120 t 170 metres. “That enhances safety, also for the mechanics,” said Wittmann, who would be delighted to repeat his maiden home win from 2018 with the Walkenhorst BMW. For safety reasons, a speed limit of 40 km/h rather than the usual 60 km/h is in place in the Norisring pit lane. For Prince Leopold of Bavaria, it is certain: he wants to enjoy the race weekend. “I have so many great memories of the Norisring! I am looking forward to seeing many friends again and to race there again, even though the track is demanding and there are hardly places where you can recover a bit.” The former BMW works driver, now closely involved in the 50th anniversary of BMW M as a BMW brand ambassador, is sharing driving duties in a BMW 320i with a characteristic Bavarian livery with his friend Marc Hessel, who was third in the 1987 DTM. “Poldi” is convinced: “It will be great!”