34 days prior to the season kick-off, on 04th May at Hockenheim, the preparations for the 2014 DTM season have entered their hot phase. On Monday morning, a total of 11 drivers representing Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz began the four official ITR test days at Budapest’s Hungaroring. For the new vehicles for the 2014 season – the Audi RS 5 DTM, BMW M4 DTM and DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé – it was the first clash of the year.
In sunny conditions, Miguel Molina proved to be the quickest. With his Audi RS 5 DTM, he crossed the line in 1:37.792 minutes, thus being the only driver to break the 1:38-minute barrier. Behind the Spaniard, his fellow Audi drivers Jamie Green (the quickest in the morning session), Adrien Tambay and reigning champion Mike Rockenfeller finished second, third and fourth respectively.
Behind the Audi’s, four BMW’s finished fifth to eighth on the time sheets. Bruno Spengler set the fastest lap time of the BMW drivers, followed by the two newcomers Maxim Martin and Antonio Felix da Costa as well as Joey Hand in another three BMWs M4 DTM. Behind the Bavarian’s quartet, the Mercedes-Benz camp was represented by DTM returnee Paul Di Resta, Gary Paffett and newcomer Vitaly Petrov at the wheel of the three DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupés.
Testing times, Monday, 31st March
1st Miguel Molina (ESP) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:37.792 minutes
2nd Jamie Green (GBR) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.200
3rd Adrien Tambay (FRA) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.518
4th Mike Rockenfeller (DEU) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.842
5th Bruno Spengler (CAN) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.242
6th Maxime Martin (BEL) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.549
7th Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.666
8th Joey Hand (USA) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.679
9th Paul Di Resta (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.383
10th Gary Paffett (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.434
11th Vitaly Petrov (RUS) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.741