DTM: First Mercedes laps for Mortara
After six years with Audi, Edoardo Mortara is switching to Mercedes. During the last DTM test week at Jerez (E), the Geneva native took his first seat in a Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM. However, his lap times are not yet meaningful. Mortara was present on all four test days last week at the former Formula 1 circuit in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain [...]
Mortara was in action on all four days of testing at the former Formula 1 circuit in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain, last week to set reference times for the Young Driver Tests. On Tuesday, "Edo" completed his first laps in a Mercedes-AMG DTM car, and on Thursday he got his first impressions on a wet track.
The Geneva native completed only 10 to 16 timed laps per day. These served as a point of reference for Maximilian Günther, who was allowed to complete a Young Driver Test as a reward for finishing second in the 2016 Formula 3 European Championship, and for Maro Engel, who already drove for Mercedes in the DTM from 2008 to 2011.
The impressions of this year's runner-up were good, but the lap times were not yet meaningful. For him, it was primarily about getting to know his new environment at work on and off the track and getting a first feel for the handling of a DTM Mercedes. Since new cars will be used in 2017, that wasn't relevant yet either.
Anticipation of the first real Mercedes test
"I'm very happy that I was able to complete my first laps in the Mercedes-AMG C 63 this year. I'd also like to thank Audi Sport for this. I immediately felt at home in the team and noticed that the team members did everything to make me feel comfortable. That's a very nice feeling. Although I didn't drive too many laps over the four days, I was able to gain a few impressions. It's always good to sit in the car and drive. Now I'm looking forward to the first test of the new year."
Next year's DTM season starts at Hockenheim from May 5 to 7, 2017. That is where Edoardo Mortara stood at the top of the podium last October as the last loudspeaker winner in 2016 and then had to concede the title to BMW driver Marco Wittmann due to a lack of four points.
www.dtm.de
Photos: Mercedes-AMG
