The battle at Audi intensifies as DTM lands at Zolder
The DTM heads to Zolder this weekend for the first part of a double-header with rounds seven and eight of the 2020 season at the Belgian track on two consecutive weekends.
Team Abt Sportsline drivers Nico Müller and Robin Frijns, and Team Rosberg’s René Rast, head the fight for the title for Audi Sport.
Despite seven drivers still having a mathematical chance of lifting the 2020 crown, the three Audi drivers have dominated the season, with Müller achieving five victories so far and with 242 points in his account.
“Zolder is a cool track,” said the Swiss ace. “From the new asphalt, I am expecting more grip, that is always good. The lay-out doesn’t leave room for any mistakes but driving at the limit there is fun.
Frijns has been the strongest qualifier this season and is the only driver to have qualified in the top-three point-scoring positions for each race so far this season. The Dutchman also claimed his maiden win at Assen and has since taken two more race victories to cut the gap to Müller to just 18 points.
Rast has had an atypical season, with the defending champion admittedly struggling with the new rules that allow the use of the push-to-pass and DRS systems not only to attack for position, but also to defend it. The Team Rosberg driver sits third in the championship, 47 points behind Müller – feeling helpless to reduce the gap but not giving up hope.
“Unfortunately, the gap has remained more or less the same over the last few races, we’re simply not getting any closer,” said Rast champion. “We only have three weekends left and a lot has to happen to catch up with Nico and Robin. But of course, we’re not giving up.”
Sheldon van der Linde is, in fourth place in the championship, the best-placed driver for BMW Motorsport, who have suffered a general lack of pace thanks to balance issues in the M4 DTM. The Bavarian manufacturer still hopes that they can repeat last year’s success at ‘old-fashioned’ Zolder.
“I’m very excited to go back to Zolder, it’s definitely a very good track for me personally and one that I like very much,” said Van der Linde. “It is definitely one of my favourites on the calendar. I think we had a pretty strong season so far given the circumstances, we’re fourth of the championship standings and we can build on it now.”
Zolder hosted the first-ever DTM race back in 1984 and returned to the calendar last year, with victories for BMW’s Philipp Eng and Rast. The 4.011-kilometre layout will be the same for both DTM weekends and was resurfaced earlier this year.
Audi Sport has already clinched the manufacturers’ title, with 827 points in their account, 471 ahead of BMW Motorsport.
Timetable
Friday 9th October
13:00 – Free Practice 1
16:30 – Free Practice 2
Saturday 10th October
10:40 – Qualifying for Race 1
13:30 – Race 1 (55 minutes plus one lap)
Sunday 11th October
10:40 – Qualifying for Race 2
13:30 – Race 2 (55 minutes plus one lap)
