DTM: First official test at Estoril

[JMeissner]

First DTM test at Estoril
DTM 16/03/04

Manuel Reuter and Opel topped the first official DTM test at Estoril. Reuter was pleased with the time but still cautious against the opposition from Audi and Mercedes: "The difference from the Opel Astra V8 Coupe is obvious," he explained. "Where exactly we are we will probably only see at Hockenheim. I think with Audi now being a factory team, the DTM field will be even closer together."

Second fastest was also an Opel, this time driven by Laurent Aiello. Only 0.05 seconds behind him was Stefan Mücke in the 2003 Mercedes CLK. Best new Mercedes C-Class was Bernd Schneider right behind Mücke in fourth place. Best Audi was young Martin Tomczyk in sixth place 0.4 seconds slower than Reuter in the top. Testing will continue until Thursday.


1 Manuel Reuter Opel Vectra 1m35.368
2 Laurent Aiello Opel Vectra 1m35.542
3 Stefan Mücke Mercedes CLK 1m35.547
4 Bernd Schneider Mercedes C-Class 1m35.555
5 Jean Alesi Mercedes C-Class 1m35.603
6 Martin Tomczyk Audi A4 1m35.734
7 Jarek Janis Mercedes CLK 1m35.921
8 Emanuele Pirro Audi A4 1m35.939
9 Marcel Tiemann Opel Vectra 1m36.124


Source: Autosport

Johan Meissner
johan@meissner.se

[ATF]

Wow - quite a surprise to see Opel and not Merc at the top of the timesheets. And good to see Reuter back on top like he should be. And the CLK beat the C-Class!!

[kmchow]

Has Opel improved significantly or are the other manufacturers sandbagging? Were they testing "alternative setups"? Though I really hope Vectra does well so Opel will continue to fund the DTM team again next year!!

[flor]

i think all the teams are sandbagging except the clk drivers