The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) has now further changes implemented for the forthcoming season, which begins at Hockenheim in the first weekend of May.
To promote further overtaking and closer battles out on track, the DTM’s governing body, the DMSB, along with rights promoter ITR and the manufacturers, have decided to innovate the sporting and technical regulations, as well as keeping the safety requirements to the current high standard.
As we found out recently from Audi Sport’s Head of DTM, Dieter Gass, the Drag Reduction System can be used up tp 3 times a lap, but drivers will now need to be within one second of the car in front to activate the system.
The other main change to DRS usage is that the angle of the rear wing can now be lowered to a maximum of 18 degrees, instead of 16, which in turn will promote higher top speeds and greater chances for passes to be made.
At the season finale, it was announced by ITR chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht that Hankook will only be supplying much needed traction, drivers will now only be allocated four sets per weekend, instead of five.
This will challenge the teams and drivers in terms of what strategies could be played out, so gone are the employable tactics that Mattias Ekström used to great success at the latter part of last year.
“Providing the spectators enthralling motor racing and top-class entertainment represents our top priority,” explained Aufrecht, who says that last lap dramas are part of the DTM’s appeal to the fans. “That’s exactly what DTM has been providing for many years. This is the reason why it’s one of the most attractive race series of the world.”
Ahead of the season opener, the drivers and teams will be taking part in the final official three-day test of the 2015 season at Oschersleben, which will take place between the 14th and 16th of April.
