DTM 2004
Emanuele Pirro, Audi A4 DTM #44 (Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest)

Although no DTM championship points will be awarded for the invitation races in Shanghai, the Audi works team wants to make a good impression in front of the Chinese public. In addition to the six Audi DTM regulars (Christian Abt, Frank Biela, Mattias Ekström, Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro and Martin Tomczyk) Rinaldo Capello and Peter Terting also start. The Italian driver drives an additional Audi A4 DTM looked after by the Joest team. “Star of Tomorrow” driver Terting drives one of last season’s Abt-Audi TT-R racers. All eight Audi drivers only had two short practice sessions before qualifying to get used to the newly built track. Emanuele Pirro about the 2.840 kilometres long circuit.

What is your first impression of the Shanghai street circuit?
Emanuele Pirro:
“It’s a very good impression. The organizers have created a great track layout and have done a very professional job. Especially when you consider that this event is staged for the first time. Concerning the driving it’s hard for us because the circuit has no grip at all. That prevents us from having as much fun as we could have.”

How difficult is it to learn a brand new track within a day?
Emanuele Pirro:
“For me it is not a big problem. Honestly I really prefer a track which nobody knows, so everybody has the same chances. Of course you have to be much more careful when learning a street circuit, because the smallest mistake can mean that the race weekend is over for you.”

Which is the most difficult part of the circuit?
Emanuele Pirro:
“There are a lot of difficult parts. But there is one point between the second and the third corner, which is very special: The track gets narrow and then there is a high bump which makes the car jump a little bit. You need to brake only for this bump because otherwise it’s getting dangerous – as some of the other drivers unfortunately had to experience yesterday.”

Are there any possibilities to overtake here at Shanghai?
Emanuele Pirro:
“Overtaking will be extremely difficult, because beside the line there is a lot of dust and dirt. I think you need a mistake of your opponent to overtake on this circuit – and that doesn’t happen so often in DTM.”

You experience the highest temperatures ever during a DTM race. How do you deal with that?
Emanuele Pirro:
“I’m sure the heat will play a role today, especially during the second race, but I hope it will not be the most important role. Unfortunately there is no proper way to deal with the heat. You just have to stay cool.”