Miguel Molina claimed the second DTM victory of his career in Saturday’s race at the Lausitzring, on the third race weekend of the 2016 DTM season. The Audi driver started the opening race of the weekend from pole, but was overtaken at the start by fellow Audi man Jamie Green. Molina moved back to the front of the field on lap eight, and defended his lead superbly through to the finish. In glorious summer temperatures, the race tyre of exclusive DTM Partner Hankook provided the usual outstanding overall performance, offering consistently high grip levels right through to the final lap.Klettwitz/Germany, 04 June 2016
With temperatures soaring at the Lausitzring, it was Audi driver Jamie Green who made the best start on Saturday, passing fellow Audi driver and pole-sitter Miguel Molina on the opening lap. However, the Spaniard fought back to take victory after 32 laps of racing.
Green finished runner-up, and was joined on the podium by Robert Wickens who was third in his Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM. The best-placed BMW driver was Marco Wittmann, who came home fourth. This was enough to move the 2014 DTM champion to the top of the Drivers’ Championship. Edoardo Mortara (Audi) picked up four points in eighth place and is now second in the overall standings, ahead of Mercedes-Benz drivers Paul Di Resta and Robert Wickens.
Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “With track temperatures reaching 43 degrees, the Hankook race tyre proved its full capability. As we saw in qualifying, almost all the cars were very evenly matched. The lap times were consistently quick, right through to the finish. Throughout the entire race, the high kerbs and different track surfaces, which were the subject of much discussion coming into the weekend, were mastered with the usual aplomb by the Hankook slick. We are already looking forward to tomorrow’s second race, when everyone starts from scratch again and the battle for pole position and victory at the Lausitzring recommences.”
Miguel Molina (Audi): “It was difficult at first, due to all the rubber left on the track from the other racing series. I soon found my rhythm and, after overtaking Jamie, was able to really push with the Hankook race tyre. The grip was very good, and allowed me to claim my second DTM victory.”
Jamie Green (Audi): “The various different racing series here at the Lausitzring meant there was a wide range of different types of rubber on the track. This made my car behave a bit differently to usual. The Hankook race tyre worked well throughout the entire race. Unfortunately, we were unable to exhaust the full potential of the Hankook slick.”
Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz): “I was very happy with the Hankook race tyre. You could set consistently quick lap times with it right rough to the finish, without there being any drop-off effect. Unfortunately, that was also true for the other drivers, so I was unable to gain any more places.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW): “I actually made the best start, but there was no way through. Unfortunately, I then lost a place. I then had a great fight with the Mercedes-Benz behind me, who, unlike me, were still able to use their DRS. The Hankook race tyre was excellent in qualifying too. I coped very well with it, and have consequently taken the lead in the overall standings.”
