Rounds 1 + 2: Hockenheim (D)

Race 1 (round 1): Saturday, May 5, 1.30 pm
Race 2 (round 2): Sunday, May 6, 1.30 pm
Track length: 4.574 kilometers
DTM qualifying lap record: Tom Blomqvist (BMW), 1m 30.491s (2017)
DTM race lap record: Jamie Green (Audi), 1m 32.456s (2017)

Audi victories in the DTM opener at Hockenheim:
2002 Laurent Aiello, Abt-Audi TT-R; 2007 Mattias Ekström, Audi A4 DTM; 2008 Mattias Ekström, Audi A4 DTM; 2009 Tom Kristensen, Audi A4 DTM; 2015 (Saturday) Jamie Green, Audi RS 5 DTM; 2015 (Sunday) Mattias Ekström, Audi RS 5 DTM; 2016 (Saturday) Edoardo Mortara, Audi RS 5 DTM; 2017 (Sunday) Jamie Green, Audi RS 5 DTM

Track description by Mike Rockenfeller:
“For me, the Hockenheimring is a very special race track. It’s the only circuit we visit twice in a DTM season: for the opener and for the finale. Plus, it has a long tradition. Hockenheim belongs to the DTM and the DTM belongs to Hockenheim. Because we have two race weekends there per season and also test there, all the drivers obviously know the track really well. Being the first race weekend after the long winter break, Hockenheim always offers a good opportunity to compare where you stand with other manufacturers. Suspense is especially high whenever there are new technical or sporting regulations. With the DTM cars with less downforce I hope that the races this year will be even better. I’m also excited to see how the DTM is presented this year with SAT.1 as its new TV partner. And, like all drivers, I’m happy that the season finally starts, so there’s usually a really cool atmosphere on the first race weekend at Hockenheim.”