DTM testing 'a tall order,' Russell says

Formula 3 racer George Russell says the importance of qualifying well in the DTM was obvious from the start of his first full test of the series' machinery.

Russell was one of four young drivers running with BMW at Jerez in the traditional post-season rookie test, joined by Alexander Sims, Jesse Krohn and Louis Deletraz. Having previously sampled a Mercedes DTM car at Silverstone as part of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award process, Russell's program included a series of qualifying runs.

In one of the series' format changes for 2015, qualifying became an all-in 20-minute session for each race, with 14 different drivers taking pole across the 18 races.

"I did quite a lot of qualifying sims, because obviously if you want to win races in the DTM you have to qualify at the front," said Russell. "It was the first time I've really driven with a tyre where the time is on lap one.

"I think that is a little bit the nature of the circuit as well, but you have to go out there and 'bang.' It was a tall order and a great experience."

Russell completed 112 laps across Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, and said the BMW felt less demanding physically than Formula 3 machinery. He traveled straight from Jerez to Barcelona for his latest F3 test with Hitech Grand Prix.

"Obviously, it's got power steering, which is good on your arms, but then everything goes towards your neck," he said. "I felt my neck a lot more than I would in an F3 car, just because you don't really have that feeling there in your arms."

DTM ON RUSSELL'S RADAR FROM YOUNG AGE

With BMW expected to retain the same eight drivers in the DTM next season, an opportunity to join the field in 2016 is not on the cards. However, Russell said he could see himself racing in the series in the future.

"It's something I've always looked up to," he said. "I used to watch DTM quite often and on TOCA Race Driver, I used to play DTM a lot - so since I've been a kid, DTM has been something I've loved.

"I can definitely see myself in there one day, it would be a great opportunity if I got the chance."

Originally on Autosport.com