Nico Müller was one of the protagonists of the first weekend of the DTM in Portimao. Despite not having a good start, the official Audi driver managed to win the second race of the Portuguese event. A victory that has charged the Swiss’ batteries, not so much because of the result as because of the good feelings with the car. After a complicated 2021 season, Müller seems to have found the way with an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II that gives the Ingolstadt-based driver more room for maneuver.
The Swiss Nico Müller is one of the proper names of the DTM in recent years. Series runner-up in 2019 and 2020, the regulatory change did not sit well with the Audi driver. Adapted to ‘Class 1’ vehicles and with little experience in GT3 machinery, Müller barely added a podium finish throughout the season. With 56 points at the end of the season, Nico was a long way from fighting for the title. Nevertheless, the new year has started with victory and totally different sensations.
Apart from the winter preparation, better than the one he had a year ago, Nico Müller seems to have met his match with the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. The updated GT3 of the German firm seems to adapt better to the tastes of Müller: «There is no secret, in the end it is the small details. Of course, in general, I feel more comfortable with the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. The new package we have this year makes the working window of the car a bit wider.”
«You can play a little more from the pilot’s side. The set-up is not as critical to really hitting the sweet spot as it was in the past. I hope that we can benefit from this new scenario again when we return to the Lausitzring.. I want to be competitive again like I was in Portimao. We are better prepared on all fronts, as last year I had limited preparation. I think that made our life a little more difficult last year.”
Finally, Müller explains: «There is still room for improvement in certain areas, I’m sure.. There is no such thing as perfection and we try to get better and better on all fronts. Nevertheless, I feel that we have a much better base, which makes me confident that we will continue to be competitive, to continue moving forward. Still, I don’t think the car is that competitive at the Lausitzring. It will be a bit more difficult than in Portimao because of the long straights. There are other cars with a little more power and that will be noticeable on the track.
Photos: DTM