Hakkinen warns of pit exit dangers

With DTM speeds being faster than any other Touring Car series that visits the circuit, and the pit exit length being considerably shorter than at most other DTM tracks, there is an appreciable speed difference between a car approaching Paddock Hill Bend on a hot lap and one coming out the pits.

Although the standard pit exit demarcation lines have been painted on to the Brands asphalt, Hakkinen believes it is up to the drivers who are racing to be wary of potential cars exiting the pits on Sunday.

All cars are required to stop twice during Sunday's 82-lap encounter, the maiden DTM race at the Kent circuit.

"For the driver who is coming out of the pits, it is very difficult to see who is actually coming around," Hakkinen said.

"You just have to go flat [when you exit] and the drivers and cars who are out on the track, you just have to keep watching, and they have to move to see the situation.

"It is going to be very difficult, but it's going to be quite exciting for all the people who are watching."

Hakkinen believes that with few overtaking opportunities around the 1.2-mile Indy layout, today's qualifying session, combined with keeping a cool head in the race, is going to be key to taking victory.

"It is going to be messy!" he added. "Qualifying is the key point. To win, you have to be faster, and you have to be first. The tactics have to be perfect. You have to be consistent and make no mistakes, and then you will come out of this race the winner.

"If you qualify third or fourth and lose speed in the race and stop at the wrong time, and then you get in traffic, you lose time, you make mistakes and you lose time, then you will finish sixth or seventh."