DTM completes its opening test day

BMW driver Phiipp Eng topped the opening day of testing when DTM returned to on-track action with a four-day test session at the Nurburgring on Monday.

After the delayed start to the 2020 DTM season, the German Tourenwagen Masters series has returned to the race tracks when the field got together at the Nurburgring.

The series had originally planned a four-day pre-season testing at Monza which was then relocated to Hockenheim due to the coronavirus outbreak. After the global spread of Covid-19, the pre-season test was completely called off.

As the situation had shown signs of improvements in recent weeks in Germany, DTM has now started its on-track preparation for the coming season that is scheduled to get underway at Spa on August 2.

On the first day of the four-day pre-season testing, BMW driver Philpp Eng set the pace, posting a time of 1m19.203s to eclipse Robin Frijns’ effort. The Audi driver was just 0.011s slower than the session’s best time.

A total of six Audi drivers and three BMW drivers participated on the first day of the Nürburgring test. Reigning champion Rene Rast grabbed the fifth position with his best time of 1m19.890s.

Slowest of the nine drivers was former F1 driver Robert Kubica. After completing a first DTM test at Jerez at the end of 2019, the Polish racer’s best time was a 1m20.519s in yesterday’s test session.

“Being back at the race track, living the passion after the lockdown is something special. It will be my maiden season in the DTM and there are many things for me to learn: the car, the procedures,” said Kubica.