Vanthoor Hoping to Cap Off ‘Tough’ First Season With Podium

Laurens Vanthoor hopes to score a first DTM podium during the final three events on the schedule to end on a high in what he has labeled as ‘one of his toughest seasons in a long time.’

Vanthoor stepped into DTM for the first time this year, partnering with Dennis Olsen in a two-car effort for SSR Performance.

While Olsen has finished on the podium twice in his debut season so far, Vanthoor has yet to finish higher than fourth.

The Belgian is all but eliminated from title contention, having scored 30 points from the previous ten races.

Vanthoor admitted that his first season in DTM has been one of his more difficult, even as he tried not to underestimate the level of competition.

“In all honesty, it has probably been one of the toughest seasons I had in a long time,” Vanthoor said.

“I know that you can’t just come up to DTM with a new manufacturer, a new team and a new collaboration between team and driver and simply show up in a championship like DTM and show everybody how it’s done.

“That’s not possible, so I expected not to come and win straight away, but it has been a lot more difficult than that.”

Like Vanthoor, the Munich-based SSR Performance squad is effectively new to the series apart from a  guest outing at the Nürburgring last year.

He noted that the team needed some time to adapt to the championship, having come from ADAC GT Masters, but is now making good progress.

“For sure it took us time to understand [that] DTM is very specific in the way you need to work,” he continued.

“It is bit different than in other series, especially endurance racing. For sure, that took some time and things are improving.”

Vanthoor is adamant about his targets for the remaining six races of the season, looking to score a first series podium finish to avoid ending the year on a sour note.

“I think everybody is capable of podiums and winning races,” he spoke.

“On the 92 it has not worked out at all so far but I want to close this DTM chapter for now with at least a podium or a win to not make it a complete disaster.

“That’s very clearly my goal and I will do my best and see how it works out.”

Vanthoor hinted that the team’s struggles in the first half of the year were multifold.

He refused to go into detail by stating ‘it should stay internally’ but expressed hope that the team has found solutions to close the gap to the leading pack.

“I think we have found something for Spa. I don’t want to go into official detail what it is exactly, but I’m hoping it will improve.

“Because in the end we have a good group of engineers, we have a good team and the car is capable of doing it.

“I don’t think I am the worst driver in the world, so we should be better than where we are at the moment.

“It would be nice to finally show that at one point.”