Hockenheim/Germany, 7th May 2017 – Prior to the start of the season, 130 young drivers applied for a place in the Audi Sport TT Cup, with eleven newcomers making it into the starting field. They include Fabian Vettel, brother of four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel. “We are obviously happy to welcome such a well-known name into the fold. However, the most important thing is that our field of drivers is more evenly matched than ever this year. It is going to be a really exciting season,” said Philipp Mondelaers, the man with overall responsibility for the Audi Sport TT Cup.
Three female racers will also take their place on the grid. Of them, the driver with perhaps the best prospect of finishing towards the front of the field is Poland’s Gosia Rdest, who finished eighth overall last year. Philipp Mondelaers: “Gosia knows how the land lies. She is a consistent factor and has been involved in the series since the very beginning. I believe she is capable of great things. Generally speaking, I see hardly any difference between men and women in our series.”
As all the cars in the Audi Sport TT Cup are identical, and only the anti-roll bars may be adjusted when setting the car up, it is very important to manage the Hankook race tyres well. “Many drivers come from a karting or single-seater background and must initially get used to front-wheel drive, as the rear wheels are basically just pulled around the track. The biggest challenge is to get the rear tyres up to the ideal temperature without overworking the front wheels,” said the Project Leader.
The high level of consistency makes the Hankook race tyre the ideal partner for the young drivers. It provides the talented racers with the necessary security to explore the limits of their driving ability. Philipp Mondelaers: “The Hankook race tyre is completely non-critical and incredibly consistent over long distances. If a driver opts for the wrong tyre pressure, it will have consequences in terms of their performance, but it is completely without risk. That is very important in an entry-level series like the Audi Sport TT Cup.”
