DTM 2012 event in Munich: Preview

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• Second visit to Munich’s Olympic Stadium for the DTM; no championship points at stake; last year’s debut event won by Bruno Spengler in the AMG Mercedes C-Class

• New layout, with drivers competing against each other on two synchronously configured 614-metre tracks; safety enhanced by new run-off areas

• New relay format on Saturday, with the three manufacturers entering teams consisting of two drivers; Sunday’s competition pits all 22 drivers against each other in head-to-head races

• Half-time in the DTM – after five of the ten weekends on which points are at stake, Mercedes-Benz leads in all three championships: drivers’, team and constructors’

Comments on the DTM Show Event in Munich:

Gary Paffett (31, England, THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- leads the DTM drivers’ standings after five races, having scored 95 points
- has stood on the podium four times and had one P4 finish in the five races so far

“The first half of the season has been excellent from my perspective: two wins, two more podiums and an exhilarating chase from the back of the field to finish fourth at the Norisring. What a start to the season! We’re aiming to reward the fans in Munich for their great support this season and to lay on a feast of motor racing in the Olympic Stadium.”

Jamie Green (30, England, Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- currently second in the DTM drivers’ championship on 69 points
- won for the fourth time at the Norisring in Nuremberg

“After my fourth victory at the Norisring, I’m looking forward even more to the DTM Show Event at the Olympic Stadium in Munich. The weekend is certainly going to be very interesting, for us drivers as well as for all the spectators packing the grandstands. As a driver, you obviously want to win every competition you enter, but the important thing this weekend is to put on a great show for the fans. Last year, I proved I can be fast in that stadium without bouncing off the walls. I’m aiming for a repeat performance this year.”

Christian Vietoris (23, Germany, Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Coupé):
- finished on the podium in the 2011 Munich premiere
- leads the team standings together with THOMAS SABO / Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG team-mate Gary Paffett

“It’s hard to believe that we already have the first half of the 2012 DTM season behind us. After five hard-fought race weekends, the show event in Munich’s Olympic Stadium is an excellent opportunity to focus on the fun element and to stage a real spectacular by way of thanks to the fans for turning out in such numbers. Anyway, I’ll be doing my very best to deliver two days of first-class motor racing entertainment. After my podium finish last year, maybe I’ll get even further than the semi-final.”

Ralf Schumacher (37, Germany, Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- got a first glimpse of the new tarmac at the stadium with his Mercedes AMG C-Coupé a full month before the DTM Show Event
- occupies joint second spot in the team standings with Mercedes AMG team-mate Jamie Green

“The new configuration at the Olympic Stadium promises fans in every seating area even more excitement and unobstructed vision – I’m sure of that after seeing preparations being made at the venue. Whilst I was there, I was also able to try out the new asphalt that has been laid at the stadium – it now affords even more grip than last year. I had a lot of fun competing in the exciting knock-out format last year, and I’m hoping to progress a bit further this time. But the most important thing is that the audience is royally entertained and enjoys the DTM experience at the Olympic Stadium.”

David Coulthard (41, Scotland, DHL Paket Mercedes AMG C-Coupé):
- P5 finish at the Norisring his best DTM result to date
- experienced in stadium conditions, having competed six times in the Race of Champions

“The DTM debut at the Olympic Stadium in Munich last year was a great event, and I’m looking forward to driving under that big canopy again. What sets the DTM apart from other series is the close bond with the fans, and there is no other venue on the calendar where the spectators get quite as close to the drivers and cars. I think this event is a wonderful way of giving something back to our supporters. I’ve already accumulated some experience of driving in stadiums from the Race of Champions over the years, so may be that will come in handy here. After getting my best DTM result so far in Nuremberg, I’m all fired up for the second half of the season.”

Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “Even though championship points will not be awarded, Munich is not a wooden spoon race. I do not know of any driver who will not want to prove that he is the best in the stadium, and the contest in Munich’s Olympic Stadium is a premium event for premium car manufacturers, namely Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

“Last year’s premiere was a complete success and this year’s spectacle will be even better and much more spectator friendly; the spectator’s view of the action has been improved, and the new track now features two sections of equal length where competing drivers go head-to-head, which will be simply terrific.

“For us, Munich is a DTM race that will be contested by all parties concerned with the same vigour as the five previous events, and, after securing three wins in the first five DTM races, it is our intention to make sure that the three-pointed star shines in Munich’s stadium just as in the five championship races contested so far.”

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

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