Glock’s McLaren Under Scrutiny After Oschersleben Debacle

Following a disastrous start to the DTM season at Oschersleben, Timo Glock’s McLaren 720s GT3 EVO has undergone a extensive inspection at the McLaren factory in Woking. The team is now focused on rectifying the issues that plagued Glock’s performance, aiming for a notable turnaround at the upcoming Lausitzring race.

lausitzring Test: A Crucial Opportunity for Validation

the second of five limited DTM test days, held on Tuesday, May 6th, at the Lausitzring, is of paramount importance for Glock and the Dörr Motorsport team. The primary objective is to validate the fixes implemented on Glock’s McLaren and ensure it performs as expected. The Lausitzring is particularly significant as it will host the second DTM race weekend of the year from May 23rd to 25th. Fans can secure tickets for the DTM weekend at the Lausitzring.

Comparative testing: Glock vs. Dörr

To ensure the effectiveness of the repairs,a comparative test is planned between Glock’s McLaren and that of his teammate,Ben Dörr.Dörr, who received a new vehicle prior to the Oschersleben race, experienced a much stronger start to the season. By comparing the performance of the two cars, the team hopes to pinpoint any remaining discrepancies and optimize Glock’s setup.

Unprecedented Circumstances Lead to Regulatory Exception

DTM regulations typically restrict drivers to testing with a single GT3 vehicle, identified by its VIN/chassis number. This rule is in place to prevent wealthier teams from gaining an unfair advantage by testing multiple vehicles and incurring excessive costs. Though, given the unique circumstances surrounding glock’s car, the German Motor Sport BUND (DMSB) has granted Dörr Motorsport a special exception.

This exception allows Glock and Dörr to conduct comparative tests in two different vehicles within a limited one-hour window. This will provide the team with valuable data to assess the improvements made to Glock’s McLaren.

A DTM driver may only carry out the driving activity on a limited DTM test day with a (1) GT3 vehicle, which is defined by the VIN/chassis number.
DTM Test Regulations, Article 5

Third McLaren Off-limits

Dörr motorsport also possesses Ben Dörr’s previous car, as well as the car formerly driven by Clemens Schmid, who is slated to participate in the Nürburgring long-distance series. however, the team has opted for the “exchange option,” meaning that only two vehicles can be used during the test. This decision ensures compliance with the spirit of the regulations while still allowing for essential comparative analysis.

Weather Plays a Crucial Role

Favorable weather conditions are essential for meaningful vehicle comparisons. The forecast predicts sunshine and temperatures ranging from seven to fifteen degrees Celsius, providing an ideal habitat for the test. Rain would considerably hinder the team’s ability to gather accurate data and assess the performance of Glock’s McLaren.

Absence of Schubert Team Raises Questions

while teams like Abt (Lamborghini), Manthey (Porsche), and the Mercedes teams are participating in the test, the absence of the Schubert team is notable. The reasons behind their decision to skip the test remain unclear.

lausitzring Test: A Strategic Omission for Some DTM Contenders

In a surprising turn, several prominent teams have opted out of the recent DTM test session at the Lausitzring. While Winward and Landgraf (AMG teams), Audi Team Land, Comtoyou (newcomers), and HRT (with Fabio Scherer) participated, notable absences included Grasser, Paul, emil Frey, and BMW’s leading team, Schubert Motorsport. This decision raises questions about the value teams place on specific track testing and their broader planning strategies for the DTM season.

Schubert’s Viewpoint: Focusing on Representative Tracks

Florian Rinkes, Schubert’s chief engineer, articulated the team’s rationale, stating that the Lausitzring is not representative enough for the entire calendar. He elaborated that the track’s unique characteristics, particularly its violent bumps, provide limited transferable data for other circuits on the DTM schedule. This suggests a strategic prioritization of testing on tracks that more closely mirror the diverse conditions encountered throughout the season.

The lausitzring is not representative enough for the entire calendar.That’s why we decided not to test there and to lift the days for other routes.

Florian Rinkes, Schubert Chief Engineer

Interestingly, Schubert will participate in the ADAC GT masters test at the Lausitzring with a BMW M4 GT3 EVO, driven by brothers Sandro and Juliano Holzem.This suggests a targeted approach, possibly focusing on specific vehicle development aspects rather than overall DTM preparation.

GT World Challenge Europe Clash: Timing Conflicts Impact Participation

The timing of the Lausitzring test presented a conflict for teams also competing in the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE).The GTWCE sprint series commenced at Brands Hatch,rendering participation unfeasible for teams like Grasser Racing,which manages all its GT3 operations within a single team structure. Emil Frey Racing, another Ferrari-affiliated team, also prioritized the Brands Hatch event. Only teams like Comtoyou, HRT, and Winward (Mercedes-AMG), which operate separate teams for DTM and GTWCE, were able to participate in both events.

This scheduling conflict highlights the increasing demands on teams participating in multiple racing series. Balancing commitments and optimizing resource allocation are crucial for success in today’s competitive motorsport landscape. According to recent data, approximately 60% of DTM teams also participate in at least one other major GT racing series, underscoring the prevalence of this challenge.

DTM Test Quota: A Limited Resource

Unlike the official DTM test in Oschersleben in early April and the Sachsenring test scheduled for August 17, the Lausitzring test does not automatically count towards the DTM test quota. This quota,limited to five days per vehicle for the entire season,is a valuable resource that teams must strategically manage. the decision to forgo the Lausitzring test, thus, does not automatically reduce a team’s remaining test days, allowing them to allocate those days to more relevant testing opportunities.