[DTM] 2014 DTM speculation, rumours and news

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by winkle

I never understood why they didn't race on the GP circuit at Brands but I guess it doesn't matter now. If they return to race in the UK it will be at a different circuit.

They used the Indy circuit because that's what ITR asked for - the theory being that the cars are in view for longer on the Indy circuit. They would have been even more impressive out on the GP loop though - how good would that be? Blasting out of Surtees down at speed round Westfield and Hawthorn - it'd be awesome. If they do come back to the UK in the future hopefully it'll be Brands again - I saw the DTM at Donington and it was ok, Silverstone would be a disaster.

Originally Posted by DS"

Di Resta's back with Mercedes in DTM: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112205

I think it's quite something to see a DTM driver go to F1 and then return to DTM right afterwards.

It's not a big surprise to see Di Resta back in the DTM, realistically it was his best option after he'd lost the chance of staying in F1. He's already proved he can deliver in the DTM and his return strengthens Mercedes driver line up - last year they probably had the weakest driver line up of the 3 manufacturers.

[DS"]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

They used the Indy circuit because that's what ITR asked for - the theory being that the cars are in view for longer on the Indy circuit. They would have been even more impressive out on the GP loop though - how good would that be? Blasting out of Surtees down at speed round Westfield and Hawthorn - it'd be awesome. If they do come back to the UK in the future hopefully it'll be Brands again - I saw the DTM at Donington and it was ok, Silverstone would be a disaster.

The ITC race at Silverstone (full GP circuit) was actually pretty good. Although Silverstone has plenty of top-class events (F1 and WEC), so they don't need DTM. But when the DTM left Brands, they basically claimed that the British market wasn't giving them enough in terms of media coverage and so on. It's just an excuse in my opinion, as Brands Hatch was probably too small for the manufacturers. Maybe other tracks like Donington or Snetterton would suit them better.

With di Resta back in DTM, there may be a new incentive to return to Britain. Now that they have a driver within their ranks, who is relatively well-known in Britain, they may draw more media attention and people to the track.

It's not a big surprise to see Di Resta back in the DTM, realistically it was his best option after he'd lost the chance of staying in F1. He's already proved he can deliver in the DTM and his return strengthens Mercedes driver line up - last year they probably had the weakest driver line up of the 3 manufacturers.

Given that Mercedes will probably stick to six cars, this may indeed strengthen their squad. Although I'd like to see eight cars, even though it'll probably not be filled with the two "Maxis" from GTs

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by DS"

The ITC race at Silverstone (full GP circuit) was actually pretty good. Although Silverstone has plenty of top-class events (F1 and WEC), so they don't need DTM. But when the DTM left Brands, they basically claimed that the British market wasn't giving them enough in terms of media coverage and so on. It's just an excuse in my opinion, as Brands Hatch was probably too small for the manufacturers. Maybe other tracks like Donington or Snetterton would suit them better.

Silverstone is a very poor track for spectating though - thanks to the F1 spec fencing and run off you end up being so far away from the action you might as well stay at home and watch on tv.

Originally Posted by DS"

Given that Mercedes will probably stick to six cars, this may indeed strengthen their squad. Although I'd like to see eight cars, even though it'll probably not be filled with the two "Maxis" from GTs

Have they confirmed it'll be 6 cars? They need 8 really to be able to fight with Audi and BMW.

[AxelF]

I think, Gary Paffett is one of the best drivers, but i didn't like him to complain always on behaviour of others like that...sometimes hes like a small child, who doesn't get his toy again.

Paul di Resta is also very good, and he will be well worth for the Mercedes squad. But he is of course no real personality. He never was in Formula One - good driver, but no one, to wait for his interviews etc.

Its not only german language, but you need to build up simpathy for the driver, because he is nice/funny/scandalous guy.

[DS"]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Silverstone is a very poor track for spectating though - thanks to the F1 spec fencing and run off you end up being so far away from the action you might as well stay at home and watch on tv.

Well, Silverstone hasn't gotten better after rebuilding the track in 2009 (?).

Have they confirmed it'll be 6 cars? They need 8 really to be able to fight with Audi and BMW.

No official confirmation, but Motorsport-Total has hinted more than once that Mercedes will stay with six cars. I guess Formula One eats up a lot of the budget for auto racing.

Originally Posted by AxelF

Its not only german language, but you need to build up simpathy for the driver, because he is nice/funny/scandalous guy.

Exactly. I mean why do people think of Muhammed Ali or Mike Tyson, when they think about boxers? Because they were controversial and that's what draws people, controversy!

[winkle]

I guess Paffett not speaking German makes him controversial then!

He is an ex champion and usually at the sharp end of the grid and if he is not he will often fight his way through.

Di Resta is a good driver and hopefully as DS" says will draw crowds and encourage DTM back to the UK. I really hope its not Silverstone, GP loop at Brands would be excellent for spectators and allow the cars to stretch their legs.

In the mean time I will have to take a trip to Germany or maybe Hungry to watch them instead!

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by DS"

Really? So can we expect some Mark Webber interviews in German in the future?

TBH I don't know if this will also apply to 'name drivers' like Webber, but they definitely demand it of their junior team graduates. I remember reading that Pat Long is fluent in five or so languages, which is really quite impressive.

[Starfish Primer]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Silverstone is a very poor track for spectating though - thanks to the F1 spec fencing and run off you end up being so far away from the action you might as well stay at home and watch on tv.




Have they confirmed it'll be 6 cars? They need 8 really to be able to fight with Audi and BMW.

I've heard that ITC doesn't want big F1 tracks like Silverstone because they dislike the huge empty grandstands. Even with the national layout it wouldn't look nice on TV.

[Metzo]

Originally Posted by winkle

GP loop at Brands would be excellent for spectators and allow the cars to stretch their legs.

it would be fun to watch but i think the racing wouldnt be that great

[PorscheFanNo1]

Originally Posted by Metzo

it would be fun to watch but i think the racing wouldnt be that great

But I rather see them race around GP track and not passing each other rather then them racing short layout and not passing each other.

And also, I think GP track would produce better racing, especially with the DRS as all of a sudden there's not only 1, but 3 places where you can activate DRS and make a stab at whoever's in front of you.

[Starfish Primer]

Brands short layout makes races very complicated to follow on track. With the pitstops and lapping is nearly impossible to know what is happening.

[NaBUru38]

Pitstops are a mess in DTM. There should be 5-lap pitting windows on minutes 15 and 35 out of 60 or so.

[TimRTC]

The main issue with pitstops is that they then blue-flag drivers who have not pitted, to let other drivers past. So if you stay out to build a position, you cannot defend at all against faster cars with new tyres...

Anyway. Petrov in DTM this year? http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112237

[kurski]

Former finnish F1 commentator Matti Kyllönen said YLE TV2 Motorsport program that remains to be seen, seen as Heikki Kovalainen DTM tests in the coming weeks.

[DS"]

Vitaly Petrov has also tested a Mercedes DTM car. So maybe Merc will run eight cars after all?

Confirmed:
Gary Paffett
Paul di Resta
Daniel Juncadella

Likely:
Robert Wickens
Christian Vietoris
Pascal Wehrlein

Possible:
Vitaly Petrov
Maximilian Götz

Remains to be seen:
Heikki Kovalainen
Roberto Mehri
James Calado
Sam Bird

Petrov has also claimed that he can bring enough sponsorship for a whole DTM season with him.

[BertMk2]

Petrov would also make sense from a marketing point of view with the round in Russia.

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Petrov would also make sense from a marketing point of view with the round in Russia.

Cool. If Petrov gets confirmed to race in DTM, he's gonna show his skills off at Russia!

[bella]

believe calado is pretty certain in one of the mercedes too.

[Juntos]

Originally Posted by bella

believe calado is pretty certain in one of the mercedes too.

Excuse me, but that is really not good enough. It is a mere palliative and totally unnecessary if not backed up byenforceable measures.

[kurski]

Russian DTM journalist Sergey Bednaruk said, that info about Kovalainen is probably reliable

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Excuse me, but that is really not good enough. It is a mere palliative and totally unnecessary if not backed up byenforceable measures.

???

[JoestForEver]

Looks like the Merc is back again. Still, the BH indy layout race and blue flag rules are disasters I believe.

[DS"]

Interesting news coming from Daytona. According to Speedweek, the DTM and SuperGT want to hold a race together in 2015. It'll likely take place in Asia: http://www.speedweek.com/dtm/news/50...mes-Event.html

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Excuse me, but that is really not good enough. It is a mere palliative and totally unnecessary if not backed up byenforceable measures.

You know, for how far Google Translate has taken us from Babelfish the journey is not yet complete...

[helgi]

As for Vitaly Petrov. He was supposed to be a special guest at one of the winter track races on January,26 but could not arrive. And in his TV-interview he said that he "had some issues over his contract that they {I suppose he and team} had to solve".