Timo Scheider is one of the true DTM icons. From 2000 to 2016, the 38-year old contested a total of 181 races for Opel and Audi. In 2008 and 2009 the German won the drivers’ championship and until today, he and Bernd Schneider are the only ones who successfully defended their DTM titles.

This year, Scheider contests the World Rallycross Championship and consequently, he also will be active in the support programme of the DTM season kick-off at Hockenheim. As one of the most successful German Racing drivers in the history of the popular international touring-car series, he is the perfect choice for the first expert’s tip of the year. Please read below what Scheider expects from the first two races in the new season.

TIMO SCHEIDER ON THE FORTHCOMING SEASON
Timo Scheider: “The fact that Gerhard Berger now is at the helm of the series certainly will turn out to be positive for DTM. He will make for a breeze of fresh air. Meanwhile, the regulation changes for the new season also could contribute to this development. When it comes to the more powerful engines I even would have loved to see an increase by 150bhp to make the races even more spectacular. But even the increased horsepower output we will see now definitely isn’t a disadvantage. The new tyre is a good step and I hope that it will improve the racing on the track. But I will have to wait and see how things will turn out on the weekend. The fact that the radio contact from the pits to the driver is prohibited is something we already would have loved to see earlier. The qualifying session is particularly thrilling anyway. Such a fast lap is something really special. And if you get it right and make it to the top three you now will be rewarded. And you have to opt for a setup for the qualifying or the race. But due to the points that can be scored I expect the majority to opt for race setups.”

TIMO SCHEIDER ON THE HOCKENHEIMRING
Timo Scheider: “I secured both my titles at Hockenheim. Therefore, this circuit always will be a special place for me. The racetrack itself has got a special ambience – with the stadium where you are racing in front of the fans for three or four corners. That’s a really great atmosphere. With the DRS, the hairpin represents a great overtaking opportunity and on the way out of the hairpin to the Mercedes Arena you occasionally also can use the DRS. These are the neuralgic spots. But this also depends on the setup of the car. You can set your car up for better aerodynamics and higher top speed in sections one and two what will cost you slightly in the stadium – or you opt for the opposite approach what will cost you some speed on the straights but you will have a mechanically very good car with more downforce in the stadium. All this depends on what suits the car and the driver more.”

TIMO SCHEIDER’S TIP
Timo Scheider: “Making a prognosis prior to the first race is difficult. Everybody speculates that the others still could have something up their sleeves and that the cards will be put on the table only in the first qualifying session. Only then everybody will know where they are standing. The BMW was very impressive in the Hockenheim tests. And I really would love to witness my buddy Timo Glock deliver and prevail throughout the season – just because he deserves it and because I would enjoy it. I think that BMW once again have a realistic chance of battling it out for the title. On the other hand, the Mercedes also seemed to be very competitive. While the Audi looks very aggressive. But at the end of the day, everybody currently still are disguising and deceiving. So I think that it will take some races until we will have got a clear picture.”