Mercedes: No Hockenheim Repeat
Mercedes believe they won't repeat their sensational Hockenheim result at this weekend's Lausitzring event because of the extra weight ballast they will now have to run
The German manufacturer secured a 1-2-3 at the season opener, but under new DTM rules the top manufacturer have to run an extra 10kg at the following event.
Jean Alesi, Gary Paffett and Bernd Schneider locked out the podium at Hockenheim, meaning that the basic weight of their cars, and the other 2005-spec cars of Jamie Green and Mika Hakkinen, will be increased to 1060kg.
Audi will remain unchanged at 1050kg and Opel, the third placed manufacturer, are allowed to reduce their basic weight to 1040kg.
Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Norbert Haug said: "With a ballast weight of ten kilograms in the new C-Class it will hardly be possible to score a result as good as in the season opener at Hockenheim. However, our team will fight and especially the drivers with last year's C-Class want to seize their chances."
The aim of the new rules is to prevent the series being dominated by one manufacturer.
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