Martin Tomczyk about the Nürburgring

Good memories of last year’s victory Demanding track challenges driver and technology Unsettled weather frequently brings surprises in the Eifel

Ingolstadt – Martin Tomczyk returns to the Nürburgring, the scene of a perfect weekend for the Audi factory driver last year, with fond memories. This year the race only starts at 5:35 p.m. and is broadcast live on German television on "Das Erste".You had a perfect weekend in the Eifel in 2007 – do you really like the track? "The weekend was in fact perfect thanks to my pole position and victory. However, I already enjoyed driving there in my Formula Junior days. It’s a track steeped in tradition, even if you don’t feel much of the Nordschleife flair around the GP circuit in a DTM race." How difficult is it for the driver and engineer to set-up the car for the circuit? "There are always conflicts and compromises in the set-up. There are some fast, fluid sections where the aerodynamics are so important, but also a tight segment after the first corner where it’s all about mechanical grip." Does the ever changing weather in the Eifel generate more excitement? "The weather is often totally unpredictable, even during the summer. You know that you just have to prepare yourself for this. The conditions are nevertheless the same for every driver. Sudden weather changes certainly cause more excitement, and we’ve frequently had such inclement weather in the DTM at the Nürburgring." Are there any key overtaking places? "This is dependent on the direction of the set-up – this effectively determines whether you are better in slow or fast sections. Basically the spectators watching in the Arena definitely have the best chances of seeing exciting overtaking manoeuvres."


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