DTM Lausitzring 2012: Preview

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• Second race of the 2012 DTM season at the Lausitzring, just one week after the one-two for Gary Paffett and Jamie Green in the season opener at Hockenheim

• Mercedes-Benz drivers have claimed twelve pole positions out of fourteen and nine of twelve race wins at the Lausitzring

• Between 2006 and 2010, five different Mercedes-Benz drivers won at the Lausitzring: Bernd Schneider, Mika Häkkinen, Paul Di Resta, Gary Paffett and Bruno Spengler

Comments ahead of the second race of the season at the Lausitzring:

Gary Paffett (31, England, THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- won at the Lausitzring in 2005 and 2009
- arrives at the second race of the season leading the championship standings

“Our one-two result in the season opener at Hockenheim was a great start to the new era of the DTM. We have a long season ahead of us, and we’ll be taking each race as it comes. The Lausitzring makes different demands from those we have to contend with at Hockenheim: the track is technically very demanding, with only one fast corner but several chicanes. It was clear in Hockenheim that our new DTM C-Coupé is very fast. Now, we aim to keep pushing and to improve our performance in qualifying.”

Jamie Green (29, England, Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- started from pole position in 2005 and 2006 at the Lausitzring and set fastest lap in 2009
- claimed his 18th DTM podium finish at Hockenheim

“With nine wins from twelve races, Mercedes-Benz has a fantastic track record at the Lausitzring. It would be great if we could continue in the same vein this year with our new Mercedes AMG C-Coupé. As a circuit, it’s different to Hockenheim. For one thing, the layout runs in an anti-clockwise direction, and for another, there aren’t that many fast corners. I enjoy it a lot, though I haven’t won there yet. I’d be delighted to put that right this weekend.”

Christian Vietoris (23, Germany, Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Coupé):
- gained eleven positions in the season opener at Hockenheim
- finished fourth at Hockenheim, his best DTM result to date

“I have good memories of my first DTM race at the Lausitzring last year. It was only my fourth DTM race, but I qualified in the Top Ten for the third time and finished in the points for the first time the following day. After coming fourth in the season opener at Hockenheim, I’m optimistic about an equally good result at the Lausitzring. But whatever happens, the fans can look forward to another exciting race this weekend.”

Ralf Schumacher (36, Germany, Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- finished seventh in the season opener at Hockenheim
- is contesting his fifth DTM race at the Lausitzring

“The race at Hockenheim was a textbook start to the season for Mercedes-Benz – it’s hard to imagine a better outcome than the one-two win for Gary and Jamie, plus five C-Coupés in the Top Eight. The Lausitzring has completely different characteristics to Hockenheim. However, we did some of our winter testing at this circuit, so we should be well prepared for this second race of the season. The challenge on this track is to be fast both on the long straights and on the twists and turns of the infield.”

David Coulthard (41, Scotland, DHL Paket Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- secured his first DTM Top 8 grid position at the Lausitzring in 2010
- scored DTM points for the third time in the season opener at Hockenheim

“The Lausitzring has a complex layout that requires the driver and the car to be in perfect harmony. There is one fast corner and many more slow corners where you have to brake hard and late. This necessitates good traction for acceleration and finding the right balance for the front end at low speeds. At Turn 1, it is certainly possible to overtake as you brake heavily from 250km/h to 70km/h within a matter of seconds. After finishing eighth in the first race of the season, I would very much like to produce another decent result for my Berlin-based Mücke team in their home race.”

Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:

“The first race in front of packed grandstands at Hockenheim is still fresh in our memories, and the teams have barely had time to catch their breath. But here we are four days later at the Lausitzring, getting ready for race number two.

“With the one-two victory for Jamie Green and Gary Paffett and with five C‑Coupés finishing in the Top Eight, our Mercedes crew have done a fantastic job. Every one of our team members and all of our drivers are focused on delivering a professional and competitive performance at the Lausitzring. Out of the twelve DTM races staged here, Mercedes-Benz has won nine, and I hope we continue to build on this record.

“The Hockenheim season opener was full of great racing in which we saw more thrilling overtaking than in the whole of the 2011 season put together. Paffett-Mortara, Paffett-Green and Vietoris-Rockenfeller were three great examples that left us all hungry for more. And it looks like the appetite of the DTM viewers should be more than satisfied at the Lausitzring.”

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

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