DTM rookie test in Spain

The DTM constructors Mercedes-AMG, BMW and Audi Sport had travelled to Jerez in Spain for the so-called Rookie test.

However there weren’t so many real rookies at this test, as there had been in previous years.

Audi Sport had Loic Duval, Nick De Vries, Kelvin Van Der Linde and Dion Von Moltke on the track. Duval got the test after many years at their Le Mans programme, while Von Moltke has done IMSA for a few years. Kevin Van Der Linde is a former winner of the VW Scirocco Cup and ADAC GT Masters. Nick De Vries has done GP3 this year, and has since he started karting many years ago, been among the fastest on the race track, and now it was his turn to try an Audi R5 DTM.

Loic Duval Photo: JJ Media
Loic Duval
Photo: JJ Media

BMW had Swede Joel Eriksson, Ricky Collard and John Edwards in the cars. Joel Eriksson has done Formula 3 FIA European Championship this year and was winner of the Masters of F3 at Zandvoort in August this year. Ricky Collard has done British Formula 3 this year. His dad is Rob Collard, who has a long history with BMW in BTCC, so you can almost say that German blood is flowing in his veins. John Edwards has been driving for BMW in IMSA through many season, and this year it was his turn to drive the fast BMW M4 DTM.

Joel Eriksson Photo: JJ Media
Joel Eriksson
Photo: JJ Media

Mercedes-AMG had invited Maximilian Günther for the test as a real rookie, and familiar face Maro Engel, who did DTM for the brand from 2008 to 2011. A new guy in the Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM seat was Edoardo Mortara, who will switch from Audi Sport to the South German brand. Günther has been driving in Formula 3 FIA European Championship, where he finished 2nd in the standings.

Edoardo Mortara - Audi or Mercedes 2017? Photo: JJ Media
Edoardo Mortara & Maro Engel
Photo: JJ Media

DTM has some strict rules regarding testing, so the constructors only have very few days to test. So now they have to keep the cars parked until the end of February, where the next test will be held at Portimao.

Jerez Rookie test 2016 Photo: Mercedes Motorsport
Jerez Rookie test 2016
Photo: Mercedes Motorsport

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