Augusto Farfus heads into the third and fourth rounds of the 2016 DTM season feeling confident of a good result in the Austrian region of Steirmark, which is the setting for the Red Bull Ring at Spielberg. This circuit, one of three on the DTM calendar that will also host a Formula One race this season, is in one of the most beautiful settings of any track in Europe.
After his podium position in race two in Hockenheim in his Shell BMW M4 DTM two weeks ago, the Brazilian driver is looking forward to what he believes could be a winning weekend in Austria: “I am really looking forward to the weekend, especially after our great result with second in Hockenheim. We are well prepared and now know when to push. I believe we can go there and aim for the maximum.”
The BMW Team MTEK driver always enjoys driving there and the picturesque setting is not lost on him either: “I think it is one of the most beautiful tracks in Europe. It is very fast and always great to be there, as it is a nice track to drive on.” However, he is hoping that the change of date might mean the weather conditions are better than in 2015. This is the earliest the race has been held there, as in 2012 and 2013 it was in June, while in 2014 it was the end of July and in 2015 the beginning of August. “The race there last year on the Sunday was particularly difficult, as the weather conditions were treacherous. After being the best BMW driver in qualifying and the race on the Saturday, Sunday was bad for all of us. However, I always look forwards and not back so am feeling positive.”
The 4.326 kilometre circuit dates back to the 1960s and so has a lot of history. It has been changed dramatically over the years and the layout now has six right hand and two left hand corners. It is a high-speed circuit with fast corners.
The schedule for the DTM cars will be FP1 from 17.00 to 17.30 on Friday (20th May). For Saturday it is FP2 from 12.40 to 13.10, Qualifying from 15.25 to 15.45 and the 40-minute race starts at 17.48. On Sunday it is FP3 from 10.20 to 10.50, Qualifying from 12.50 to 13.10 and the 60-minute race starts at 15.13.
