Paul Di Resta strategizes his way to DTM victory in Hungary

The fifth DTM race of the season, at the Hungaroring in Budapest, was another race won by the right strategy and a fantastic catch-up race. Scotsman Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz) started the race from 13th on the grid, put on new Hankook tyres on lap seven, and after 34 laps celebrated his eighth DTM win. German BMW driver Timo Glock finished second. His Canadian fellow and brand mate Bruno Spengler was the third man to see the chequered flag. Mike Rockenfeller finished the race in fourth place, making him the best-placed Audi driver. The soft, speedy slick of premium tyre maker Hankook provided the drivers with a high level of grip and great consistency.

Budapest/Hungary, 17th June 2017 – The fifth race of the DTM, at the Hungaroring, was not for the faint of heart. It delivered gripping duels, overtaking manoeuvres and the matter of the right time to switch to new Hankook Ventus Race tyres. 31-year-old Paul Di Resta made the right decision and, thanks to an early stop on lap seven, was able to battle his way to victory with new Hankook tyres. It was the Scotsman’s eighth DTM win in 93 races.

Second-placed Timo Glock opted for the same strategy. He started from 14^th on the grid and was also kitted out with new Hankook Ventus Race tyres by his pit crew after seven laps. Bruno Spengler, who started from the penultimate position on the grid, switched his tyres after just one lap and moved up into third place despite making a second pit stop. The early stops benefitted from a safety car phase in laps nine to eleven.

“Our new DTM slick, the Hankook Ventus Race, has increased the excitement in all of the races so far. Drivers and teams have more options for using the right strategy to take action during the race. This is good for both the series and the fans,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe.

Going into the sixth race on Sunday, Lucas Auer (Mercedes-Benz), who finished today’s race in 13^th place, leads the overall standings with 69 points. Hot on his heels is Jamie Green (Audi) with a deficit of eight points.

Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz): “We started very aggressively, and the Hankook tyres provided great support. The safety car also came out at the right time for me. I am very happy with the balance of the car. The tyre is the point of contact between the car and the track, and it’s giving good feedback.”

Timo Glock (BMW): “The high track temperature made it easier for me to get the Hankook tyres to work more quickly today. After one lap the Hankook tyres are there, you’ve got grip and the car is more stable. And that enables you to find your rhythm quickly.”

Bruno Spengler (BMW): “The tyres are designed so that they wear down quicker, and that makes it a challenge for us as drivers. I made a second stop and after that things went really well for me, and I was able to fend off the attacks from Mike Rockenfeller. The tyres lasted well.”

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi): “I had a good start and wanted to go easy on the tyres. Unfortunately, the safety car appeared. It was clear that we had lost the race. I had a good pace with my second set of Hankook tyres and moved up into fourth place. Generally, the cold tyres at the start are not a problem, if anything they make it more fun. After three or four turns, or a lap at the most, you can really go for it.”

Over Hankook Tire

Hankook produceert wereldwijd innovatieve, prijswinnende high performance radiaalbanden voor het premium segment voor auto's, SUV's, terreinwagens, lichte vrachtwagens, vrachtwagens en bussen evenals voor de autosport (circuit- en straatracen/rally's).

Hankook investeert voortdurend in onderzoek en ontwikkeling om haar klanten steeds de hoogste kwaliteit in combinatie met uitstekende technologie te bieden. In vijf ontwikkelingscentra en acht grote fabrieken wereldwijd ontwikkelt en produceert Hankook bandoplossingen, die specifiek zijn afgestemd op de wensen en eisen van de regionale markten. In Europa vindt de bandontwikkeling voor de lokale markten en eerste montage plaats in overeenstemming met de toonaangevende Europese autofabrikanten in het regionale technisch centrum in Hannover/Duitsland. De banden worden onder andere geproduceerd in de ultramoderne Europese fabriek in Rácalmás/ Hongarije, die in 2007 werd ingewijd en voortdurend uitgebreid wordt.

Het Europese hoofdkwartier van de bandenfabrikant is gevestigd in Neu-Isenburg, Duitsland in de buurt van Frankfurt am Main. De fabrikant heeft meerdere vestigingen in verschillende Europese landen en verkoopt haar producten op andere lokale markten via regionale distributeurs. Wereldwijd biedt Hankook werk aan ongeveer 20.000 mensen en levert haar producten in meer dan 160 landen. Het bedrijf is geselecteerd als de technische partner en exclusieve bandenleverancier van Generatie 3 voor het FIA ABB Formule E Wereldkampioenschap, dat start in 2023. Toonaangevende autofabrikanten vertrouwen bij de eerste montage op banden van Hankook. Ongeveer 38 procent van de wereldwijde omzet van de onderneming is afkomstig uit Europa.

Verdere informatie vindt u via www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com of www.hankooktire.com

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH | Marketing Communications Europe | Siemensstr. 14, 63263 Neu-Isenburg | Germany

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Motorsports: DTM race Budapest, Saison 2017 - 3. Event Hungaroring, HU, # 53 Jamie Green (GBR, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM), # 33 Rene Rast (GER, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM), # 5 Mattias Ekstrm (SWE, Audi Sport Team Abt, Audi RS5 DTM)

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Motorsports: DTM race Budapest, Saison 2017 - 3. Event Hungaroring, HU, # 33 Rene Rast (GER, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM)

File size: 2 MB

Motorsports: DTM race Budapest, Saison 2017 - 3. Event Hungaroring, HU, # 16 Timo Glock (GER, BMW Team RMR, BMW M4 DTM)

File size: 1 MB

Motorsports: DTM race Budapest, Saison 2017 - 3. Event Hungaroring, HU, # 6 Robert Wickens (CAN, HWA AG, Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM)

File size: 2 MB

Motorsports: DTM race Budapest, Saison 2017 - 3. Event Hungaroring, HU, # 53 Jamie Green (GBR, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM), # 33 Rene Rast (GER, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM), # 99 Mike Rockenfeller (GER, Audi Sport Team Phoenix, Audi RS5 DTM), # 5 Mattias Ekstrm (SWE, Audi Sport Team Abt, Audi RS5 DTM)

File size: 1 MB