Hankook race tyre passes another tough test in Zandvoort
Anna Pasternak/Hankook tire | 19.8.17 | Pneumatiky Hankook
DTM 2017
Hankook race tyre passes another tough test in Zandvoort
The race tyre supplied by premium tyre maker Hankook performed strongly in race eleven of the DTM season in Zandvoort on Saturday. Although sand was constantly blown onto the circuit from the adjacent dunes, and the track had been re-surfaced, the Ventus Race provided plenty of grip and impressed with a high level of consistency on the demanding track, which places extreme strain on both the tread and the construction of the race tyre. Pole-sitter Timo Glock (BMW) led unchallenged from start to finish. In doing so, he claimed his fourth victory in what is probably the most popular international touring car series.
ZANDVOORT/NETHERLANDS, 19TH AUGUST 2017
Timo Glock made a perfect start in race one of the DTM weekend at the 4.307-kilometre circuit in the Dutch dunes. The fastest man in the morning’s qualifying session held on to the lead, before coming in for a fresh set of Hankook tyres on lap eight. He went on to cross the finish line first after 37 laps of racing. This result was enough to move the BMW driver into fourth place in the overall standings. Fellow BMW drivers Marco Wittmann and Maxime Martin came home second and third to complete a one-two-three for the Munich-based automobile manufacturer.
The best-placed Audi driver was Mike Rockenfeller. The 33-year-old made his mandatory pit stop on the opening lap. He then completed the remaining 36 laps on this set of Hankook tyres, during which time he climbed into fourth place, having started the race from ninth on the grid. He was followed home in fifth place by fellow Audi man Jamie Green, who lined up in fifth place. The top Mercedes-Benz driver was Paul Di Resta, who came in for a new set of Hankook slicks on lap seven. René Rast (Audi) finished ninth, a result that sees him move to the top of the Drivers’ Championship, one point ahead of Mattias Ekström (Audi), who was 17th on Saturday.
“The Hankook race tyre did a great job at this demanding circuit in Zandvoort. The sand on the track and the fast, banked corners put strain on both the tread and the construction of race tyres. The Ventus Race mastered all these challenges and impressed with plenty of grip and a high level of consistency. The fact that Mike Rockenfeller was able to complete 36 of the 37 laps at this dune circuit on one set of Hankook race tyres, and to make up five places in the race, shows just how quick and reliable the Hankook Ventus Race was,” said Hankook Motorsport Director Europe, Manfred Sandbichler.
Timo Glock (BMW): “We knew from experience that we would have to look after the front-left tyre, due to the amount of strain it is under here in Zandvoort. Particularly in turns seven, eight and nine, the edge of the tyre is put under a lot of pressure. Plus, I collected a lot of pickup. However, I was able to manage the pace well at the front of the field, and am happy with this win.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW): “Zandvoort has always been the most demanding circuit for the race tyre. This year, we had the added factor of a new surface. In the end, the Hankook race tyre held up very well, particularly as I was always very close to the back of Timo’s car, which is not usually good for the tyres. We stopped earlier than we intended to, but it all worked out well in the end.”
Maxime Martin (BMW): “It was clear that this circuit would really pose a challenge for the tyres, as well as the drivers. However, the Hankook race tyre worked well, even in these very tough conditions. Tyre management was very important. On the whole, we managed the tyres very well at BMW.”
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