Mercedes-Benz head to the Norisring this weekend with the intention of continuing their 10-race winning streak on the streets of Nürnberg, on the back of a win for Gary Paffett at the Lausitzring last time out.
Mercedes’ head of Motorsport Toto Wolff hopes that the Stuttgart-based manufacturer can add to its victories on the Nürnberg streets – with Mercedes’ having taken victory on all bar two occasions. Victory eluded the manufacturer in the first race in 2000 when Joachim Winkelhock won for Opel, and in 2002 Laurent Aïello powered his ABT-Audi TT to victory.
“The race at the Norisring is generally considered to be one of the highlights of every DTM season,” said Wolff. “I couldn’t imagine a better venue than this historic circuit at Dutzendteich to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz’s involvement in the DTM. In the quarter century since Mercedes-Benz first entered a works team, we have recorded many a race win on the Norisring, most recently ten in a row.
“It would be all the more satisfying if we were to continue this run of results on the occasion of our anniversary, building on the victory posted by Gary Paffett a month ago at the Lausitzring. In Gary, Christian Vietoris and Robert Wickens, we have had three of our six drivers appearing on the podium this year, and the other three have already shown that they too have the potential for top results.
To celebrate Mercedes’ achievements in the DTM a number of drivers past and present will parade their racing cars in the Bavarian city, including Klaus Ludwig, Bernd Schneider, Roland Asch, Bernd Mayländer and David Coulthard.
“I am especially looking forward to meeting up with all the drivers from the past twenty-five years of DTM racing who will revive many fond memories of great DTM high points from the past when they parade their classic cars Mercedes-Benz through the streets of Nuremberg,” concluded Wolff.
Mercedes’ leading driver Paffett has won twice at the Norisring, in 2004 and 2005, and believes he could have gone on to take victory last season but for an incident at the start of the race.
“I enjoy racing around the streets of Nuremberg, and last year, I started from pole position,” said Paffett. “Unfortunately, I got spun round on the first corner, but after that, I drove a strong race, moving 18 positions up the field, and still finished fourth.
“Following victory in the previous race at the Lausitzring, I’m feeling optimistic now about our chances of victory at the Norisring. With six races to go, we still have every chance of winning the title this season.”