DTM: New territory for Nico Müller 🎥
PREMIERE IN ASSEN This weekend, the DTM will be visiting the TT Circuit in Assen (NL) for the first time. The drivers are looking forward to a fast track that was primarily designed for motorcycles. The 4.542-kilometer circuit in the Dutch province of Drenthe, around 50 kilometers from the German border, is usually home to motorcycles. Now [...]
The 4.542-kilometre circuit in the Dutch province of Drenthe, around 50 kilometers from the German border, is usually home to motorcycles. Now Europe's most popular touring car racing series is making its first stop there. The Motorcycle World Championship has taken center stage here every year since 1949.
Cathedral of speed
The DTM riders can therefore expect a special race track with flat kerbs and many fast, slightly banked corners at the halfway point of the season. In motorcycle circles, the TT Circuit Assen is therefore also reverently known as the "Cathedral of Speed".
According to simulations, the 2019 DTM cars with over 600 hp reach speeds of more than 200 km/h in four corners.
The TT Circuit is new territory for the majority of this year's DTM drivers, including the only Swiss driver.
Nico Müller: "I practiced in the simulator. A fluid, fast track that should offer good overtaking opportunities. As many are starting a race here for the first time, the cards are practically being reshuffled. That will be exciting."
Continuing the winning streak
The situation in the championship is also exciting for him. After eight races, the Audi driver is in second place with 102 points behind fellow Audi driver René Rast (127) and ahead of BMW drivers Philipp Eng (101) and Bruno Spengler (76). Only Rast and Müller have finished on the podium on each of the four DTM weekends so far, and only Müller and Spengler have scored points in every single race. The 27-year-old driver from Bern intends to maintain this streak in Assen.
Nico Müller: "I don't see why we shouldn't continue to be competitive. Although the flowing, fast corners at Assen suit BMW somewhat. The races will therefore certainly be competitive. We'll just make the best of it."
He is not thinking about the championship, although it is at the back of his mind.
Nico Müller: "I try to give it my all weekend after weekend. If the chance to win is there, I want to grab it. Because there aren't that many opportunities."
Frustration turns into a surge of motivation
At the Norisring, where he was on pole once and P2 once, the opportunity was there in both races. With second place after a long lead and eighth place after a drive-through penalty, the result was well below his expectations.
Nico Müller: "It was frustrating at first. When you're the fastest driver in the field, you want to win twice. On the other hand, the motivation increased all the more after a day or two. Better that than knowing you're too slow."
The DTM races in Assen will be broadcast live by SAT.1 on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm. SPORT1 will show the highlights of the DTM weekend on Sunday night from 0.30 am.
