Weekend tip: Feller and Müller start DTM points chase 🎥
SEASON START IN PORTUGAL The 2022 DTM with its GT3 sports cars is characterized by class and mass. Three ambitious Swiss drivers, Ricardo Feller, Nico Müller and Rolf Ineichen, are taking up the challenge.
The season preview from DTM series partner Autohero explains everything you need to know about the 2022 season. 29 drivers from 15 nations, most of whom are professionals focused solely on winning, represent a record in the modern era of this former touring car racing series, which began in 2000.
Feller, Müller and Ineichen represent Switzerland
With so many illustrious names, it is unlikely that one driver, team or brand will dominate. This is also ensured by the sophisticated regulations with their Balance of Performance, which brings the six different brands and their best drivers to a common level of performance.
Switzerland is well represented with the two Audi contract drivers Nico Müller (Team Rosberg) and Ricardo Feller (ABT Sportsline) as well as the fast non-professional Rolf Ineichen. With ten race wins and two runner-up titles in 2019 and 2020 in eight DTM seasons, Müller is an old hand, so to speak, and Ricardo Feller is a rookie.
Dealing with the tires as a learning process
However, with his previous successes in GT3 sports cars - victories and championship titles in the GT World Challenge Europe and in the 2021 ADAC GT Masters - the 21-year-old from Aargau is in no way inferior to the 30-year-old from Bern.
The biggest change for him was switching to the Michelin racing tires, which he is not yet very familiar with.
Ricardo Feller: "They work in a different window than the tires I've driven so far and have to be loaded differently. We've already tested a few times, but I'm learning with every set of tires and am constantly developing. But my team already knows the tires from last year and is helping me."
Wait and see, then strike
His expectations ahead of the DTM premiere, which is the fulfillment of a dream for him, are therefore not too high.
Ricardo Feller: "After the test drives, I can't really assess where I currently stand. That's why I want to wait and see. Of course, every driver wants to win in the DTM, but in my situation it's unrealistic to say that I want to win the title. That is definitely my goal, but it will certainly be difficult in the first year."
Müller with the best training time in Portugal
It was already difficult for Nico Müller in last year's disappointing season. That is now in the past. He has done more testing with the team in recent months than in the winter of 2020/21 and, in his opinion, has taken a few steps in the right direction.
The best time of the day in free practice on Friday at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão seems to confirm this.
Nico Müller: "The feeling compared to the old car is much better. On the one hand, the Evo package, but on the other hand, we have also made some steps in the right direction as a team. However, we mustn't forget that the competition hasn't been sleeping either, so we won't see where we really stand until the first qualifying session at the earliest. For me personally, the goal is to fight for podium places on a regular basis. The starting field in 2022 is even higher class than last year, but we are also better prepared than last season."
Difficult task for Rolf Ineichen
For Rolf Ineichen in one of four Lamborghini Huracáns from GRT Grasser Racing in Austria, however, the objective can only be to hold his own in the midfield. Points, which are awarded for the top 10 according to the tried and tested FIA system (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1), would be a success, a podium a sensation.
For the first time since his time in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, where the Lucerne native won the amateur classification several times, he also has a car just for himself. However, his long-time team partner and works driver Mirko Bortolotti can certainly give him important tips.
Another field of activity for Sébastien Loeb
Four names deserve special mention at this point. Nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb is taking on a new challenge and competing against the best of the GT scene in the Ferrari 488 from the Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse team.
In Portugal, the 48-year-old Frenchman is standing in for regular driver Nick Cassidy, who is taking part in the Formula E World Championship in Monaco. Points would also be a success for Loeb.
Return of the DTM champion, entry of Schumacher jr.
René Rast, the last multiple champion from the DTM touring car era, is returning to the championship in one of the three new Audi R8s from ABT, making him Ricardo Feller's team-mate.
With the British driver Esmee Hawkey in a Lamborghini, a female racing driver will also be taking part in 2022. And David Schumacher is the son of former GP driver Ralf Schumacher.
Live on TV and Internet
Those who are not there can follow the DTM live in various ways. In German-speaking countries, the 16 races of the season will be broadcast on ProSieben. Live coverage from Portimão starts at 12.30 pm on Saturday, followed by coverage at 1 pm. ServusTV is also extending its coverage.
The most popular German racing series is available on the Internet at Grid DTM to see. Live timing of all DTM events with their respective support races is available here Link, all results of the training sessions and races under this Link.
