DTM: Rockenfeller calls for softer tire

Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller has called on the DTM to look towards a softer control tire for 2016.

The series introduced an option tire in 2013, but scrapped the initiative amid an overhaul of its race formats this year, leaving Hankook's standard control compound. With tires proving more than durable enough to last Saturday's 40-­minute sprint races, and not influencing strategy in Sunday's hour-­long races, 2013 champion Rockenfeller feels a softer prime tire would enhance the product.

"In general, the tire needs to be a tire where there's degradation," he said. "As soon as you have degradation naturally coming, you have to do a pit stop or whatever, where you can make a difference.

"Let's say I have a good race set­up and my tire lasts five laps longer than the others, then you have an advantage and it gets interesting. I think if the tire lasts a whole race, you do qualifying and then drive around behind each other in the race."

The biggest impact of 2015's new format, according to Rockenfeller, is the added importance on the pair of 20-minute qualifying sessions, which a softer tire would reduce.

"Since the rules have changed, with the strategy and everything with the Saturday race, qualifying is everything," he said. "You need to be at the front, otherwise it is difficult to make up positions.

"Obviously you can overtake one or the other car, but it's difficult to come from far back to the front during a normal race."

Originally on Autosport.com