Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Edoardo Mortara wins first DTM race of 2016 in Hockenheim
maggio 09, 2016 - Hankook

Edoardo Mortara wins first DTM race of 2016 in Hockenheim

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Victory in Saturday’s opening race of the 2016 #dtm season in #hockenheim went to Edoardo Mortara. The Audi driver, who started the race from second on the grid, was quicker off the mark than pole-sitter and fellow Audi driver Nico Müller and defended his lead confidently until the chequered flag. The spectators at the iconic Hockenheimring were treated to some thrilling motorsport with daring overtaking manoeuvres and tough battles around the track. The race tyres from exclusive #dtm partner #hankook provided plenty of grip and consistency, ensuring fast lap times and allowing the drivers to improve on their positions right to the end of the race.   


Hockenheim/Germany, 7th May 2016#edoardomortara (Audi) made a perfect, sun-drenched start to take the lead and defended it for 25 laps to claim his fourth victory in the most popular international touring car series. Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) finished runner-up after overtaking Swiss driver Nico Müller (Audi) on lap five. Third place for Müller represented his best-ever #dtm result. Best-placed BMW driver was Bruno Spengler in sixth.


Even with track temperatures approaching 50 degrees, the race tyres from premium tyre maker #hankook delivered the usual impressive overall performance. The slicks gave drivers plenty of traction when accelerating out of the slower sections. The design of the Ventus Race easily dealt with the enormous pressures exerted when regularly cutting across high kerbs at top speed. 


“With asphalt temperatures so high, it was important to let the tyres cool down a bit now and again, to make sure that we got the most out of the slicks right to the end. As the field is so tightly packed and everyone drove the #racing line from the start, there were plenty of accidents. Our tyres were not affected by the resulting carbon residue on the track,” said #hankook #dtm race engineer Thomas Baltes.  


Edoardo Mortara (Audi): “The very high temperatures made it difficult today. We had to control the tyres, but that worked really well for me. The #hankook race tyre was great, as was the balance of the vehicle, and I had no problems.”


Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz): “The #hankook race tyre worked very well here in #hockenheim, even with such high temperatures. The new surface in turn 12 made it particularly tricky, especially as there was still dirt there from the FIA World Rallycross. But everything worked out just fine.”


Nico Müller (Audi): “I didn’t make a good start, but that had nothing to do with the #hankook race tyre. I then drove over a bit of debris on the track, which had an effect on the balance of my car. But the #hankook slick worked just fine.” 


Bruno Spengler (BMW): “This heat made it difficult for all of us, and for the tyres too. Unfortunately, my car was damaged in a crash, but overall I am pleased.”