Scherer: "I've never experienced anything like this before" 🎥
BETTER THAN EXPECTED A week ago, Fabio Scherer surprised everyone by announcing that he would be driving in the DTM in 2020. The Lucerne native has now completed his first test drive with the Belgian Audi team WRT. The short video reflects on Fabio Scherer's first day of testing with a DTM car. At first, Fabio Scherer was in close contact with Fach Auto [...]
The short video reflects on Fabio Scherer's first day of testing with a DTM car.
At first, Fabio Scherer was in close contact with Fach Auto Tech. The Schwyz-based team speculated - as BMW's new partner team - about entering the DTM. When this plan did not materialize, the Lucerne native, who lives in Engelberg OW, took the second option - and that is WRT-Audi.
Fabio Scherer: "The whole thing went very quickly. The contract was signed after around two weeks of negotiations. Until now, I only knew WRT through the GT3 races of Nico Müller and Marcel Fässler. Now I'm delighted to be part of this successful team myself."
Better than imagined
The first test drives, which Scherer completed together with other teams in Jerez in Andalusia last week, were also very quick. His first impression of a DTM car was overwhelming.
Fabio Scherer: "It was better than I had imagined. When I put the pedal to the metal for the first time, something happened that I had never experienced before in terms of acceleration. It's almost impossible to describe. For the first few laps, the car tended to go with me, then I had it. I only knew racing cars. I had the feeling that a DTM car only weighed 500 and not 1000 kilos."
Because Scherer was familiar with the characteristics of the Hankook tires from Formula 3, he was soon able to get used to the handling in the fast corners.
Fabio Scherer: "It's always difficult to judge a test. But according to the feedback from the engineers, my race pace was very good and consistent, also in terms of tire wear."
Arriving with the big boys
He is also impressed by the effort that goes into the DTM.
Fabio Scherer: "Suddenly there are so many people with laptops. It's a special feeling to have obviously achieved something and to have made it to the big time. Especially as I'm only 20 and will probably be the youngest in the DTM field. I also see it as an honor."
The youngster wouldn't be a real racing driver if he were now in awe and hadn't already set himself concrete goals.
Fabio Scherer: "I'm not there just to compete, but to be as successful as possible. I want to gain a foothold in the DTM, set highlights and occasionally finish on the podium. I want to establish myself and recommend myself for a works team. Because I see the DTM as a long-term project."
Looking ahead
He has definitely put the disappointing 2019 FIA Formula 3 season behind him. In fact, he has drawn positive conclusions from it.
Fabio Scherer: "In contrast to last year, I hardly made any mistakes and have certainly become more consistent. In the end, I was even the best in the team. That seems important to me."
