PIRELLI, AT THE SACHSENRING THE P ZERO TYRES BEAT THE HEAT AND SUPPORT THE SHOW

The DTM returns to Saxony after 21 years for the sixth round of the season giving life to two hard-fought races on one of the toughest circuits in the championship

Intense heat, tight races right up to the last that met the spectators' expectations and tyres that once again supported spectacle and performance in a round that had been missing from the calendar for 21 years.  This, in a nutshell, was the sixth round of the hard-fought 2023 DTM season that took place this weekend at the Sachsenring and saw Luca Stolz at the wheel of Team HRT's Mercedes AMG GT3 win in Race 1 and Mirko Bertolotti in a Lamborghini win in Race 2.

THE CHALLENGE
The third-to-last stage of the DTM confirmed the traps announced on the eve of the race, related to the layout of the circuit, particularly challenging for cars and tyres.  The track, 3.645 kilometres long with 14 bends (ten of which are left-handed), has a very abrasive asphalt that puts the tyres to the test, especially in conditions of high temperatures like those recorded during the weekend. That's not all: the Saxon track, widely used for motorbike races, is characterised by fast bends and tight sections, and marked changes in altitude, with gradients of up to 13% downhill and up to 10% uphill. These conditions make careful tyre management essential to the outcome of the race. In order to maximise cornering speed, it is essential for the drivers to run as far as possible along ideal racing lines, so as to make the most of the grip offered by the tyres and aerodynamic loads.

PIRELLI QUOTE
"The DTM drivers are now very familiar with our tyres and know what they can expect," comments Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager at Pirelli. "Their knowledge of the tyres, the cars and all the strengths of their package allowed the teams and drivers to interpret the race at their best, even on such a challenging and demanding track. In particular, the drivers were able to make the most of the characteristics of our P Zero tyres in terms of performance, cornering precision and traction. Even though there are still two rounds to go before the end of the season, it is still early to draw up a balance sheet, but for the moment I can definitely say that the DTM is confirming itself as a high-profile championship, in which we are consolidating our experience in GT competition with new knowledge and new points of view". 

THE TYRES
Pirelli P Zero DHF is a tyre developed to meet the specific needs of all GT classes. Features of the DHF include a wider working range and a new construction solution that optimises the car's balance with a better connection between the front and rear axles.