Audi: In eager anticipation of DTM classic in the Eifel

• Audi driver Ekström still in contention for title before Nürburgring round
• Home race for Rockenfeller, Scheider and Audi Sport Team Phoenix
• Dieter Gass, Head of DTM: “Continue to try battling for the Championship”

Ingolstadt, Germany, 13-8-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — The seventh race at the Nürburgring next weekend (August 15 to 17) marks the beginning of the hot stage in the DTM’s battle for the title. Audi driver Mattias Ekström, who has won in the Eifel twice in his career, is traveling to the classic event, trailing the leader of the standings Marco Wittmann with a 39-point gap. A maximum of 100 points per driver are yet to be awarded.

The aim of the four rings is clear: the Audi drivers are set on grabbing as many points as possible from the competition with a solid team performance and to thus achieve the best possible starting base in the final sprint for the title battle. In the drivers’ standings, Mattias Ekström has to reduce the 39-point gap to the leader of the standings. In the manufacturers’ classification, Audi is in striking distance as the runner-up.

Since the DTM’s comeback in 2000, the Nürburgring has been a fixture on the calendar. After the Hockenheimring, there is no other venue that has hosted as many DTM rounds as the Eifel circuit, which, not least due to its changeable weather conditions, has made for many spectacular races. With the Nordschleife and the huge enthusiasm of the fans the event is one of the great DTM classics. Seven times an Audi driver has entered his name on the winners’ list, most recently Mattias Ekström in the 2011 season.

For Timo Scheider, Mike Rockenfeller and Audi Sport Team Phoenix the round at the Nürburgring is a home race. Both the two-time champion and the current champion grew up in close proximity to the track and therefore are looking forward to many relatives, friends and acquaintances to keep their fingers crossed for them. The team of Ernst Moser that fields the Audi RS 5 DTM cars of Scheider and Rockenfeller only has to cross a street from its base in Meuspath to the paddock.

The drivers complete 49 laps on the 3.629-kilometer short configuration. The start-finish-straight in front of the first turn and the back-straight in front of the chicane provide two suitable sections in which the drag reduction system (DRS), which can be used to flatten the rear wing by pushing a button, can support overtaking maneuvers.

TV viewers can watch the DTM live: ‘Das Erste’ will be airing live coverage from the Nürburgring on Saturday starting at 13.30 and on Sunday starting at 13.15 (CEST). Tickets for the entire 2014 DTM season can be purchased online at www.audi-motorsport.com/dtm or telephonically on +49 841 89-47777.

Quotes by the officials

Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): “Following the difficult weekend in Austria we can hardly wait to travel to the Nürburgring. We’ve got something to make up for. Our performance in qualifying was a shortcoming at Spielberg. That’s why we are going to intensively prepare in order to work out a better starting base on Saturday for the next race. If we manage to do that we should be in contention for victory at the Nürburgring. Although Mattias’ (Ekström) gap in the standings has become larger we’re going to try and battle for the Championship.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “The Nürburgring has a special significance for us. As a team, we clinched our first ever DTM victory here and subsequently experienced many other great moments. Our joint aim is to grab as many points as possible from Marco Wittmann in order to put Mattias (Ekström) back into the title race.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “The race at the Nürburgring is one of the highlights on the calendar for us. Our aim, clearly, is to clinch the first victory of the season for Audi in our home race. We still have to do some more homework before the event in order to get everything right on the mark.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “For me personally, this is a home round as well because I was born near the Nürburgring. The whole squad is highly motivated and set on winning the race.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Mattias Ekström (36/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #7 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
•  Has won at the Nürburgring twice in his career
•  In position two is the best-placed Audi driver in the Championship
“The Nürburgring is one of my personal favorites on the calendar because, ideally, you can combine two great things with each other: a successful weekend in the DTM car on the race track and a few laps in a fast production Audi on the adjacent Nordschleife.”

Jamie Green (32/GB), Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM #21 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
•  Scored points for the third time this season at Spielberg
•  Has finished in the top five five times at the Nürburgring
“At Spielberg, I was able to battle for victory and expect to be able to do so again at the Nürburgring. My guys and I are aiming for victory each weekend – and I believe that’s realistic, too.”

Miguel Molina (25/E), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
•  Missed scoring a point in Austria by merely 0.410 seconds
•  Lived in the Eifel during his time with Audi Sport Team Phoenix
“The Nürburgring is one of my favorite tracks. The track suits our car, I’m highly motivated and the team is doing a great job – so we’ve got all the ingredients for a successful weekend.”

Edoardo Mortara (27/I), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
•  In position four is the second-best Audi driver in the Championship
•  Drove the second-fastest lap of all Audi drivers in Austria
“Basically, the track suits me well. But we’ve all had to learn this year that the DTM is more unpredictable than ever before. A lot will depend on achieving an optimal qualifying performance – then everything will be possible.”

Nico Müller (22/CH), Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
•  Is running for the first time in a DTM car at the Nürburgring
•  Lost ground at Spielberg due to a drive-through penalty
“The Nürburgring is a cool track. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve gotten past the race at Spielberg and would like to continue my performance from Moscow where I scored points.”

Mike Rockenfeller (30/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #1 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
•  Grew up in Neuwied, just a few kilometers away from the Nürburgring
•  Drove the fastest race lap at Spielberg
“After a few difficult races, the Nürburgring would be the perfect place for clinching a good result again. Of course we can’t force anything to happen in the DTM, just because this is the home round for my team and me. We’re going to try everything and have a good chance of being in contention at the very front.”

Timo Scheider (35/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #2 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
•  In fifth place, achieved his best result of the season so far at Spielberg
•  Has started 18 times at the Nürburgring in his career – more than any other driver in the current field
“My greatest wish would be for our string of misfortune to end and for us to pick up exactly where we left off at Spielberg. The home round is very special because my friends and acquaintances will be there to keep their fingers crossed. In addition, this is also the home race of my Audi Sport Team Phoenix and my team-mate. So there are many good reasons to up the ante there.”

Adrien Tambay (23/F), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #16 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
•  Has improved to fifth place in the championship
•  Made the quickest pit stop of all drivers at Spielberg
“The Nürburgring is a fantastic venue with a great history in motorsport. That’s another reason why I’m looking forward to the race there. It’s nice to feel the great motivation of the whole team to finally clinch our first victory. Our performance in the race was strong at Spielberg. Now we’re set on upping the ante in qualifying.”

The Audi drivers in the 2014 DTM

Mattias Ekström (S): * July 14, 1978 in Falun (S); residence: Salenstein (CH); single (partner Heidi), one son (Mats); one daughter (Hanna); height: 1.83 m; weight: 79 kg; Audi driver since 1999; DTM races: 140; pole positions: 19; victories: 17; fastest laps: 13; points: 739; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result DTM Nürburgring: 1 (2005, 2011)

Jamie Green (GB): * June 14, 1982 in Leicester (GB); residence: Monaco (MC); married to Ginny, two sons (Zachary and William); height: 1.78 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2013; DTM races: 99; pole positions: 7; victories: 8; fastest laps: 13; points: 424.5; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 3

Miguel Molina (E): * February 17, 1989 in Barcelona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 64 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 47; pole positions: 2; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 3; points: 79; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 8

Edoardo Mortara (I): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH); engaged; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 36; pole positions: 1; victories: 2; fastest laps: 0; points: 147; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 2

Nico Müller (CH): * Feb 25, 1992 in Thun (CH); residence: Blumenstein (CH); single (partner Lara); height: 1.85 m; weight: 73 kg; Audi driver since 2014; DTM races: 6; pole positions: 0; victories: 0; fastest laps: 1; points: 10; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: –

Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Landschlacht (CH); married to Susanne; one son (Phil); height: 1.75 m; weight: 68 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 77; pole positions: 3; victories: 3; fastest laps: 4; points: 336; DTM titles: 1 (2013); best result DTM Nürburgring: 3

Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 10, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single (partner Jessica), one son (Loris-Romeo); height: 1.78 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2006; DTM races: 145; pole positions: 11; victories: 6; fastest laps: 9; points: 429; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result DTM Nürburgring: 2

Adrien Tambay (F): * Feb 25, 1991 in Paris (F); residence: Lochau (A); single; height: 1.81 m; weight: 69 kg; Audi driver since 2012; DTM races: 26; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 94; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 6

DTM drivers’ standings after six of ten rounds

1 Marco Wittmann (BMW)        95 points
2 Mattias Ekström (Audi)        56 points
3 Bruno Spengler (BMW)        42 points
4 Edoardo Mortara (Audi)        41 points
5 Adrien Tambay (Audi)        36 points
6 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi)        35 points
7 Maxime Martin (BMW)        33 points
8 Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz)      33 points
9 Augusto Farfus (BMW)        33 points
10 Timo Glock (BMW)          33 points
11 Jamie Green (Audi)        28 points
12 Miguel Molina (Audi)        26 points
13 Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz)      25 points
14 Martin Tomczyk (BMW)        20 points
15 Timo Scheider (Audi)        19 points
16 Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz)      14 points
17 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz)      12 points
18 Nico Müller (Audi)          10 points
19 Joey Hand (BMW)          7 points
20 António Félix da Costa (BMW)      4 points
21 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)      4 points

DTM manufacturers’ standings

1 BMW            267 points
2 Audi            251 points
3 Mercedes-Benz          88 points

DTM teams’ standings

1 BMW Team RMG          128 points
2 Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline      82 points
3 Audi Sport Team Abt        77 points
4 BMW Team Schnitzer        62 points
5 Audi Sport Team Phoenix        54 points
6 Original-Teile Mercedes AMG      45 points
7 BMW Team RBM          40 points
8 Audi Sport Team Rosberg        38 points
9 BMW Team MTEK          37 points
10 EURONICS/FREE MAN’S WORLD Mercedes AMG  29 points
11 gooix Mercedes AMG        14 points

Audi statistics in the DTM (since 1990)

Champion’s titles: 9 (in 16 years)
Victories: 65 (in 214 races)
Pole positions: 72 (in 178 qualifying sessions)
Fastest laps: 61 (in 214 races)
Podium positions: 216 (in 214 races)

All Nürburgring winners since 2000

2000 2 x Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz), 2 x Manuel Reuter (Opel)
2001 2 x Laurent Aiello (Abt-Audi)
2002 Uwe Alzen (Mercedes-Benz)
2003 Christijan Albers (Mercedes-Benz), Laurent Aiello (Abt-Audi)
2004 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 Mattias Ekström (Audi)
2006 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Martin Tomczyk (Audi)
2008 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2009 Martin Tomczyk (Audi)
2010 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2011 Mattias Ekström (Audi)
2012 Bruno Spengler (BMW)
2013 Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz)

2013 flashback: clever strategy of the subsequent champion

84,000 spectators saw a spectacular DTM race in which rain set in on the formation lap. Following a turbulent starting lap with numerous slips, spins and contacts the safety car was deployed – and at that time Mike Rockenfeller was at the end of the field. Audi Sport Team Phoenix decided to use a risky strategy and called Rockenfeller in to switch to rain tires during the safety car period. As a result, ‘Rocky’ managed to battle his way forward to the front of the field from 20th place within just five laps and achieved an advantage of nearly half a minute. Although, due to the strategy, he had to make an additional pit stop, he finished the race in fourth place.

Track info

Track length: 3.629 km
Race distance: 49 laps = 177.821 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Mattias Ekström (Audi), Aug 06, 2005, 1m 22.793s (157.796 km/h)
DTM race record on this track: Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz), Aug 18, 2013, 1m 23.835s (155.835 km/h)
Pole position 2013: Augusto Farfus (BMW), 1m 23.296s
Fastest lap 2013: Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 23.835s
Turnout 2013: 84,000
TV live rating 2013: 1.71 million / 12.8 % market share (source: ARD)

Miguel Molina about the Nürburgring: “I’ve got some fond memories of the Nürburgring and achieved some good results there. The circuit is a combination of fast and slow sections. It hardly forgives any mistakes and requires us drivers to fully concentrate on every meter. There are two sections in which you can use DRS, which gives us a few opportunities in terms of strategy. In 2013, it was raining, so we’re still lacking experience in that respect. I don’t really have a favorite section. But the chicane in front of the last turn is important. You’ve got to optimally enter it and take a lot of speed with you. If you don’t manage that, you’ll take this deficit with you all the way to the start-finish straight.”

Timetable (CEST)

Friday, August 15
14.05 – 14.40  Roll-out

Saturday, August 16
08.00 – 09.00  Free practice
10.10 – 11.10  Free practice
13.40 – 14.30  Qualifying

Sunday, August 17
10.00 – 10.35  Pit stop practice
13.30    Race

TV schedule (‘Das Erste’ live)

Saturday, August 16
13.30    Qualifying

Sunday, August 17
13.15    Race

– End –

Contact
AUDI AG
Motorsport Communications
Daniel Schuster
Phone: +49 841 89-38009
Mobile: +49 151-42134732
Fax: +49-841-89-38617

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