Paul Di Resta says new DTM cars much faster

Paul Di Resta

Paul, you've now completed final testing in preparation for the season ahead. What surprised you most, both from a positive and negative point of view?
Paul Di Resta: The biggest surprise for me is how fast the new cars are. Lap times were much lower. Thanks to the new regulations, there's less downforce, but more power and tires with more grip. Driving these cars is great fun, but looking after tires is going to be a major challenge, for sure!

What was your first reaction to the new rule that fans can watch work being carried out in the pits?
Paul Di Resta: It's great for the fans. Just brilliant! Why shouldn't they get to see the cars from close up, plus, teams won't be able to hide themselves away so much either. The pits being open ensures that spectators can get much closer to the cars, the mechanics and drivers. It means that they can closely follow what's happening in the pits.

You posted the second-fastest time of the test week at Hockenheim. How does that make you feel now about the season opener?
Paul Di Resta: It was a very productive test. We collected plenty of data and can be confident about the future. Of course, things can change, but we are better prepared than we've been in a long time. Hopefully, we can be title contenders as a result. I'm going to focus on my training in the run-up to the start of the season. My goal is to be as fit as possible, but of course, I would also like to enjoy some time with my family before things finally get under way again. We've had a long break since October, so I'm now looking forward to the new season more and more with every day that passes.