Felix Fechner is the engineer looking after René Rast’s ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II at Team ABT Sportsline in the 2022 DTM. In his first DTM season with a GT3 car, the three-time DTM champion is third in the standings as the Audi driver with the most points and still has title chances ahead of the last four races of the season. The two races at the Red Bull Ring next weekend (both live on ProSieben and on ran.de from 1 PM CEST on Saturday and Sunday) are therefore particularly important for Rast and Team ABT Sportsline. For Felix Fechner, this is no reason to get nervous.
What is the interim balance after six of eight DTM race weekends this year?
The interim balance is mixed. We had quite a few races where we retired with punctures or accidents – but also weekends where we really got the maximum out of the car and everyone did a good job. Overall, the balance is positive.
Before the season started, did you expect to be able to fight for the championship title with René Rast?
Just like René, I didn’t expect it, but of course I hoped for it. After the first two weekends, I didn’t expect it anymore, because it was a difficult start, which we somehow expected. For me, too, it’s the first year with a GT3 car, so we’re both kind of rookies again. Imola virtually turned everything around.
But the first podium came before that at the Lausitzring …
That’s when René realized that he could definitely keep up with Kelvin (van der Linde) and Ricardo (Feller) and even play to his strengths over the weekend by working on the data and improving the car. That’s when we clearly got the feeling we are right there in the mix.
How big was the joy after the victory at Imola?
Very big! Especially since we didn’t have the easiest season with René last year in Formula E. It was great to finally be able to celebrate our first victory together.
How big was the disappointment 24 hours later with the puncture?
The disappointment was huge, of course. But we also know that we had 25 kilograms of extra ballast on Sunday and that the Audi is the car on the grid that suffers the most from ballast. You could also see that with Nico (Müller), who had to defend eighth or ninth place. Realistically, there wouldn’t have been more possible for us. But clearly, every point lost hurts.
You grew up in motorsport at ABT. What makes it special for you to work for ABT Sportsline?
At ABT, we are like a small family with a strong bond. After a difficult start to the season like this year, there is naturally friction, but no one questions anyone. We have a good culture of making mistakes: it’s accepted that mistakes are made, as long as they don’t happen twice. I think that’s what makes us so strong as a team.
The gap in the championship has become very large after Sunday’s race at Spa. Do you still think you have a chance of winning the championship?
If Sheldon (van der Linde) manages it well, it will be very difficult to catch him. But you can very quickly have a weekend without any points in the DTM. As long as it’s mathematically possible, we’ll be going full throttle.