Rounds 9 + 10: Zandvoort (NL)

Race 1 (round 9): Saturday, July 14, 1.30 pm
Race 2 (round 10): Sunday, July 15, 1.30 pm
Track length: 4.307 kilometers
DTM qualifying lap record: Augusto Farfus (BMW), 1m 27.475s (2017)
DTM race lap record: Loïc Duval (Audi), 1m 29.168s (2017)

Audi victories in the DTM at Zandvoort:
2002 Mattias Ekström, Abt-Audi TT-R; 2004 Mattias Ekström, Audi A4 DTM; 2006 Tom Kristensen, Audi A4 DTM; 2007 Martin Tomczyk, Audi A4 DTM; 2008 Mattias Ekström, Audi A4 DTM; 2011 Mike Rockenfeller, Audi A4 DTM; 2012 Edoardo Mortara, Audi A5 DTM; 2014 Mattias Ekström, Audi RS 5 DTM; 2016 (Sunday) Jamie Green, Audi RS 5 DTM; 2017 (Sunday) Mike Rockenfeller, Audi RS 5 DTM; 2018 (Sunday) René Rast Audi RS 5 DTM)

Track description by Robin Frijns:
“I’m already really excited about the race weekend at Zandvoort. After all, it’s my home race, so, obviously, I’m going to make an extra effort to clinch a good result there. I know the circuit from my time in single-seater racing and various GT3 events. However, I haven’t raced there since the tarmac was renewed. The track permits no mistakes. If you make one, you’ll end up in the gravel trap or directly in the fence. The track layout is very narrow, so it’s difficult to overtake. The best opportunities are in the so-called Tarzanbocht and in the Audi S. Personally I particularly like the high-speed sections like the extremely fast Scheivlak corner. Most drivers, though, have problems in the following turn – that’s where accidents are not uncommon. The entire circuit is located in the middle of the dunes directly on the North Sea coast. There are many uphill and downhill sections and frequently there are gusty winds. You can clearly feel that sitting in a race car. It’s also possible that sand is blown onto the track, so the grip level can vary from lap to lap.”