Budapest/Hungary, 2nd June 2018 – Pole-sitter Paul Di Resta made a perfect start to Saturday’s race in summery temperatures at the Hungaroring. The Mercedes-Benz driver pitted from the lead on lap nine for a fresh set of Hankook race tyres. Returning to the track on cold tyres, as it is not permitted to pre-heat the Ventus Race, di Resta was powerless to prevent fellow Mercedes-Benz driver Lucas Auer, who was third in the grid going into race five of this season’s DTM, from passing him. However, the Briton regained the lead on lap 22 and held on to finish 0.587 seconds ahead of Auer.
Third place went to the best of the Audi drivers, Nico Müller, closely followed by reigning DTM champion Renè Rast (Audi). Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) finished sixth to move to the top of the Drivers’ Championship, seven points ahead of Timo Glock (BMW) who had to settle for 14th place. Paul Di Resta climbs into third place overall on the back of his victory in Hungary. The best-placed BMW driver in Saturday’s race at the Hungaroring was Bruno Spengler in 12th.
Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “We witnessed a very interesting race from a tactical point of view, with a wide range of pit stop strategies. While Jamie Green came in for his new set of Hankook race tyres on the opening lap, before completing 33 laps of the 34-lap race on his second set, his fellow Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller opted for completely the opposite strategy. Rockenfeller, who was last in qualifying, did not come in for his tyre change until lap 27, and only just missed out on a points finish in eleventh place. With its impressive overall performance and high degree of consistency, Hankook’s Ventus Race allowed for the full range of tactics, thus adding to the excitement in the DTM.”
Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz): “I had a lot of grip on the Hankook race tyres, and thus had a very good connection with the track. That is very important and gives a driver a lot of confidence. I hope I will feel as good as today on the Hankook tyres in tomorrow’s race at the Hungaroring. If I do, anything is possible.”
Lucas Auer (Mercedes-Benz): “The weekend here in Hungary has gone very well so far. I was very quick on the Hankook tyre in qualifying, and the they worked superbly throughout the entire race too. You always think that the drop must be just around the corner, but it doesn’t come and the Hankook tyre offers a lot of grip right to the end.”
Nico Müller (Audi): “I maltreated the Hankook race tyres rather, and immediately picked up a flat spot on the front right tyre in my second set. That made tyre management very important in my second stint. However, the Hankook tyre showed absolutely no signs of a drop in performance, so I was able to hold off René and pick up my first podium of the season.”
