Rast says Hockenheim cameo helped seal Audi DTM drive
Newly-signed Audi DTM driver Rene Rast believes a successful cameo in the series last year at Hockenheim was key to him being given a full-time drive in 2017.
Rene Rast, Audi Sport Team Phoenix, Audi RS 5 DTM
Alexander Trienitz
Along with fellow newcomer Loic Duval, Rast was unveiled as an Audi DTM driver for next season on Monday despite the Ingolstadt marque’s reduction from eight to six cars over the winter.
Following his DTM debut at Zandvoort, where he replaced an injured Adrien Tambay, Rast stood in for an absent Mattias Ekstrom at the final round of the 2016 campaign at Hockenheim, taking a sixth place finish in the opening race of the weekend.
It’s a result the German believes was instrumental in persuading Audi to take a punt on him for a full season, at the expense of more experienced drivers like Tambay or Miguel Molina.
“Hockenheim last year helped a lot to get me in the car for next year, of course,” Rast explained to Motorsport.com.
“The weekend was very positive for me. I think it was then that they started to think about putting me in the car. Eventually, it became clear that there were going to be one or two places that needed to be filled for 2017.
“So I tried everything to apply for the job. It took quite a while, but in the end I was told I was in.
“For the 2017 season the amount of cars was reduced, which makes me even more proud to have the cockpit. It’s an honour to drive one of only six cars, but then again, there’s a certain challenge ahead of me now.”
Asked about his aims for his first full DTM campaign, he replied: “It’s difficult to say. We don’t yet know how the new rules will pan out and which brand may benefit, for example.
“I want to collect as many points as possible. It would be the icing on the cake if I were to manage a podium result. But first we need to get an idea of where we are [in testing].”
Sportscar return uncertain
Rast spent 2016 in sportscar racing, contesting the LMP2 class of the FIA WEC for G-Drive Racing – albeit skipping the Fuji and Shanghai races when he became a father.
But the 30-year-old isn’t sure yet whether he will be able to fit in any sportscar commitments around his new Audi DTM role.
“The topic hasn't been raised yet,” said Rast. “My focus is DTM at the moment.
“If an opportunity should arise, for example in GT for the Spa 24h or the Nurburgring, I would be happy to do it, of course. But my main focus is DTM.”
Additional reporting by Stefan Ehlen
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments