DTM organisers selected Munich’s Olympic Stadium for the very first show event in series history. Obviously, this stage will be a non-points-scoring round. Apart from the DTM show, an exciting support programme will see MERCEDES GP PETRONAS driver Nico Rosberg run demo laps in his Silver Arrow Formula One car. After five out of the ten races of the 2011 DTM championship, Mercedes-Benz leads both the drivers’ (Bruno Spengler) and the constructors’ standings (THOMAS SABO/Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG).
Bruno Spengler (27, Canada, Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class): “Following my second win of the season at the Norisring, I’m now getting excited about the show event in the Olympic Stadium. Munich is a fabulous city and, for us drivers, it’s going to be a very new experience to race in a stadium – it’s certainly one that I’m looking forward to. I’ve already done a test in the Olympic Stadium and it was great fun, though we only went round in first and second gears. The track is short and slow, so we’ll have to change our driving style slightly to include plenty of drifting and more aggression than we’d normally display on the permanent circuits. The spectators are in for a real treat – it’s guaranteed to be very loud and the people will be much closer to the action than usual. We’ll do our very best to put on an entertaining show.”
Ralf Schumacher (36, Germany, Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class): “In DTM racing, getting close to the spectators is very important, so it’s good that we can offer our many fans this spectacular highlight halfway through the season. I’m convinced that the unique atmosphere of the Olympic Park will make a beautiful setting for the event. As a racing driver, the thing you always want most is to win. But on this weekend, the priority will be to adapt to the compact arena and generally have a great party to celebrate the DTM series.”
Jamie Green (29, England, AMG Mercedes C-Class): “The show event in Munich’s Olympic Stadium will certainly be a great occasion, and I’m looking forward to it a lot. For me, it’s going to be a new experience driving in a stadium. I think it’s a great setting for this kind of event, because the fans will be so close to all the action. But it’s going to be great fun for the drivers, too – there won’t be any points at stake, so essentially it’s all about personal prestige.”
Gary Paffett (30, England, THOMAS SABO AMG Mercedes C-Class): “The DTM event in Munich makes a nice change for us midway through the DTM season. It will be interesting and different to anything we’ve experienced so far in DTM. I don’t know what to expect in sporting terms, but that’s not the main issue this weekend: the aim is to put on a good show for the fans and have fun together. I’m confident that it will be a huge success.”
David Coulthard (40, Scotland, Deutsche Post AMG Mercedes C-Class): “I like Munich as a city, and it’ll be interesting to find out what it’s like to drive the C-Class around the Olympic Stadium. I’ve already competed in the Race of Champions on five previous occasions, in big stadiums in Paris and London. In 2008, I even finished runner-up to Sebastien Loeb, so perhaps that gives me a slight advantage! But ultimately it is all about giving something back to our loyal fans and offering them a unique motor racing experience.”
Maro Engel (25, Germany, GQ AMG Mercedes C-Class): “Because I’m Munich born and bred, it’s obviously something very special to compete in my home city, let alone in the Olympic Stadium where I used to watch Bayern Munich play. In those days, I was sitting in the grandstands. This time, though, I’ll be racing around the arena, so it’s going to be a fantastic experience for me. As for the spectators, they can look forward to a great show. There may not be any points up for grabs, but this is a race that all of us drivers will want to win. Everyone will be going all out for victory.”
Nico Rosberg, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One driver: “I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere in Munich. Driving a Formula One car in an Olympic-size stadium is going to be a new experience for me. I’m curious about the noise factor – I’m sure it will be phenomenal. This is a nice addition to my Formula One routine.”
Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “DTM has always been innovative, trying out new things and making a success of them. The series is now venturing in a completely new direction by staging a show event in a stadium – and in no less special a venue than the Olympic Stadium in Munich. The fans over the weekend will not only see motor racing up close and personal but will also enjoy a first-class programme of music and see Nico Rosberg perform some demo laps in his Formula One Silver Arrow. We are all looking forward to this premiere in Munich. And even though there aren’t any championship points at stake, you can be sure that all the drivers will be going flat out, because I can’t think of a single one who doesn’t want to be the first DTM Indoor Champion.”
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