Audi Press Release
- Audi driver Rockenfeller at Nürburgring as DTM leader
- DTM home round for Audi Sport Team Phoenix in the Eifel
- Dieter Gass, Head of DTM: “Continue to work with concentration”
Ingolstadt, August 9, 2013 – Round seven at the Nürburgring (August 16
to 18) marks the beginning of the hot phase in the battle for the DTM title.
100 points are yet to be awarded and Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller is traveling
to the Eifel with a 27-point advantage. ‘Rocky’ grew up in a place just half an
hour away from the ‘Ring’ – accordingly, he and Audi Sport Team Phoenix, with
its home base at the Nürburgring, are looking forward to the event with
particularly eager anticipation.
From the adventure in Moscow the DTM is now moving on to the Eifel. The race at the Nürburgring ranks among the classic events on the calendar. The DTM has seen numerous gripping races there, exotic premieres like a night-time qualifying session, plus six Audi victories in total since the comeback in 2000. The proximity to the famous Nordschleife and the enthusiasm of the fans make the round in the Eifel a highlight of the season again and again.
This is particularly true for the Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Scheider, who grew up near the circuit and for whom the Nürburgring is thus their home track. ‘Rocky’ has the chance of making another pinpoint landing in the battle for the title in front of many friends and fans. Following his second victory of the season in Moscow, the Audi driver is traveling to his home round with an advantage of 27 points over the reigning Champion Bruno Spengler. Audi Sport Team Phoenix, which fields the Audi RS 5 DTM cars of Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina, only has to cross a road to get from its base in Meuspath to the paddock.
This year, the DTM is again using the 3.629-kilometer short configuration of the Grand Prix circuit on 49 laps. The circuit offers two sections – the start-finish straight in front of the first turn and the back-straight in front of the chicane – in which the Drag Reduction System (DRS) effectively supports overtaking maneuvers. This promises a thrilling race Sunday.
Tickets for all DTM races of the 2013 season are available at www.audi-motorsport.com/dtm. Fans in many countries of the world can watch qualifying and the race live on the DTM’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/dtmint live. A total of 39 TV channels air live DTM coverage in 141 countries.
In Germany, ARD will broadcast live on “Das Erste:” Qualifying on Saturday (August 17) starting at 14:30, the race on Sunday (August 18) starting at 13:15.
From the adventure in Moscow the DTM is now moving on to the Eifel. The race at the Nürburgring ranks among the classic events on the calendar. The DTM has seen numerous gripping races there, exotic premieres like a night-time qualifying session, plus six Audi victories in total since the comeback in 2000. The proximity to the famous Nordschleife and the enthusiasm of the fans make the round in the Eifel a highlight of the season again and again.
This is particularly true for the Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Scheider, who grew up near the circuit and for whom the Nürburgring is thus their home track. ‘Rocky’ has the chance of making another pinpoint landing in the battle for the title in front of many friends and fans. Following his second victory of the season in Moscow, the Audi driver is traveling to his home round with an advantage of 27 points over the reigning Champion Bruno Spengler. Audi Sport Team Phoenix, which fields the Audi RS 5 DTM cars of Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina, only has to cross a road to get from its base in Meuspath to the paddock.
This year, the DTM is again using the 3.629-kilometer short configuration of the Grand Prix circuit on 49 laps. The circuit offers two sections – the start-finish straight in front of the first turn and the back-straight in front of the chicane – in which the Drag Reduction System (DRS) effectively supports overtaking maneuvers. This promises a thrilling race Sunday.
Tickets for all DTM races of the 2013 season are available at www.audi-motorsport.com/dtm. Fans in many countries of the world can watch qualifying and the race live on the DTM’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/dtmint live. A total of 39 TV channels air live DTM coverage in 141 countries.
In Germany, ARD will broadcast live on “Das Erste:” Qualifying on Saturday (August 17) starting at 14:30, the race on Sunday (August 18) starting at 13:15.
Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): “Despite leading the standings we’ve got no reason whatsoever to relax and lean back. We last saw at Moscow how quickly you can finish out of the points while the rival takes the full score. So, at the Nürburgring, we need to continue to work with concentration and by delivering our next strong team performance cause Mike (Rockenfeller) to score as many points as possible.”
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “The success at Moscow, where all four of our drivers scored, was good for the whole squad. You can really feel how hot the guys are to up the ante at the Nürburgring. Our team has won an amazing six DTM races in the Eifel, including our first ever victory in the DTM. Now, scoring the seventh victory at the seventh round of the season would be a perfect fit.”
Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “Following the adventure at Moscow, we’re now competing at a venue that’s right on our doorstep. Naturally, this enormously helps us in our preparations. With the current tailwind I’d like to reward our many fans in the Eifel at bit because the results in recent years haven’t been the optimum yet.”
Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “The time between the return from Moscow and the race at the Nürburgring is short, so the whole squad will have a few rough days. For Team Rosberg, the Eifel race is to become the turning point of the season. We’d like to finally be in contention at the front of the field again.”
Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Filipe Albuquerque (28/P), Audi Financial Services RS 5 DTM #6 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Started from position three at the Nürburgring last year
• 2013 marks his third season of competing for Audi Sport Team Rosberg
“The Nürburgring is a track I like very much. I’ve got many fond memories of the circuit – for instance from last year when I had a very good qualifying session. My wish is to achieve this again, and more.”
Mattias Ekström (35/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #11 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• Has won at the Nürburgring twice in his DTM career
• Started from the pole position in the Eifel three times – more than any other driver in the current field
“I’ve celebrated many successes at the Nürburgring and am looking forward to returning to the Eifel. At the moment, I’m feeling more comfortable in the cockpit and the team than I have in a long time. That’s why I think that we’ve got good chances of winning the next big trophy. My aim is to win the race.”
Jamie Green (31/GB), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #12 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• At Moscow, scored points for the second time in the 2013 season
• Finished in the top five at the Nürburgring an amazing five times
“Audi has often been very successful at the Nürburgring. And this year again, we seem to be on a roll at the moment. It’s a nice feeling to travel to a race knowing that you can win. We’d like to use this positive mood for a good result.”
Miguel Molina (24/E), Audi RS 5 DTM #20 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• Has had a second residence at the Nürburgring since the beginning of the season
• In 2013, is competing for Audi Sport Team Phoenix in the second year
“Aside from the Norisring for Audi, the Nürburgring is the home race for our Phoenix squad. The team is based there, Mike (Rockenfeller) is from there and I’m personally spending most of my time during the season in the Eifel as well. So it’ll be a special race for us. I’d like to continue the upward trend from qualifying at Moscow and battle for a good result.”
Edoardo Mortara (26/F/I), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• As the runner-up at the Nürburgring last year, was the best Audi driver
• Started from the front row in the Eifel in 2012
“Last year, as the runner-up, I was the best Audi driver at the Nürburgring. This year, unfortunately, we’ve experienced several rough weekends, most recently another one at Moscow. I’m wishing for two clear days and, finally, something like a small coup for our squad.”
Mike Rockenfeller (29/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• Extended his lead of the standings from two to 27 points at Moscow
• Has never won his home race in the Eifel so far
“The Nürburgring is the home race for my team and me and thus something like a small highlight of the season. Of course, I’m wishing for the car, the set-up and the strategy to work as perfectly again as they last did when we took victory at Moscow.
Timo Scheider (34/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #23 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• Started 17 times at the Nürburgring in his DTM career – more than any other driver in the current field
• Hails from the town of Lahnstein, about an hour’s drive from the Nürburgring
“For me, the race at the Nürburgring is a home round I’m very much looking forward to. Many friends, relatives and fans will be there – that makes the atmosphere very special. I finally scored some points again in the last race at Moscow. My aim is to up the ante as much as possible in order to thank the many fans for their support in a respectable manner.”
Adrien Tambay (22/F), Audi ultra RS 5 DTM #24 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• Set the first fastest race lap in his DTM career at Moscow
• In fourth place, scored the first points in the 2013 season in Russia
“For me, personally, the race at Moscow was something like a re-launch this season. I finally scored the first points and am very relieved about that. I know the Nürburgring well and have won there before. So there’s nothing that speaks against the next good DTM weekend.”
Filipe Albuquerque (P): * June 13, 1985 in Coimbra (P); residence: Coimbra (P); single (partner Joana); height: 1.74 m; weight: 65 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 26; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 35; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 8
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: 130; pole positions: 19; victories: 17; fastest laps: 12; points: 653; 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: 89; pole positions: 6; victories: 8; fastest laps: 13; points: 379,5; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 3
Miguel Molina (E): * Feb 17, 1989 in Barcelona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 64 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 37; pole positions: 2; victories: 0 (best result: 3rd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 34; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 12
Edoardo Mortara (F/I): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH); engaged; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 26; pole positions: 1; victories: 2; fastest laps: 0; points: 105; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: 2
Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Landschlacht (CH); single (partner Susanne); height: 1.75 m; weight: 68 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 67; pole positions: 3; victories: 3; fastest laps: 3; points: 253; DTM titles: 0; 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: 135; pole positions: 11; victories: 6; fastest laps: 9; points: 385; 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: 16; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 40; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Nürburgring: –
1 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 94 points
2 Bruno Spengler (BMW) 67 points
3 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 57 points
4 Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz) 56 points
5 Augusto Farfus (BMW) 48 points
6 Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) 45 points
7 Mattias Ekström (Audi) 38 points
8 Marco Wittmann (BMW) 33 points
9 Dirk Werner (BMW) 26 points
10 Joey Hand (BMW) 26 points
11 Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes-Benz) 20 points
12 Jamie Green (Audi) 18 points
13 Timo Glock (BMW) 15 points
14 Adrien Tambay (Audi) 12 points
15 Timo Scheider (Audi) 12 points
16 Roberto Merhi (Mercedes-Benz) 8 points
17 Edoardo Mortara (Audi) 2 points
18 Andy Priaulx (BMW) 2 points
19 Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz) 2 points
DTM manufacturers’ standings
1 BMW 217 points
2 Mercedes-Benz 188 points
3 Audi 176 points
DTM team standings
1 STIHL/AMG Mercedes 101 points
2 Audi Sport Team Phoenix 94 points
3 BMW Team Schnitzer 93 points
4 BMW Team RBM 74 points
5 EURONICS/THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG 65 points
6 Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline 56 points
7 BMW Team MTEK 48 points
8 Audi Sport Team Abt 24 points
9 stern/AMG Mercedes 22 points
10 Audi Sport Team Rosberg 2 points
11 BMW Team RMG 2 points
Champion’s titles: 8 (in 16 years)
Victories: 65 (in 204 races)
Pole positions: 70 (in 168 qualifying sessions)
Fastest laps: 56 (in 204 races)
Podium positions: 204 (in 204 races)
All Nürburgring winners since 2000
2000 2 x Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz), 2 x Manuel Reuter (Opel)
2001 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)
2012 flashback: Edoardo Mortara claims podium for Audi
89,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) saw a flawless drive by Edoardo Mortara, who in his Playboy Audi A5 DTM started from position two and finished as the runner-up behind the winner Bruno Spengler. At 33 degrees centigrade in the shade and track temperatures of nearly 50 degrees, Mike Rockenfeller in his Schaeffler Audi A5 DTM took fifth place. Filipe Albuquerque and Timo Scheider finished in the points as well. To many, the secret star of the race was Rahel Frey. She was the fastest driver in the field some of the time, drove the fastest lap of all Audi drivers and the second-fastest race lap in total.
Track info
Track length: 3.629 km
Race distance: 49 laps = 177.821 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Mattias Ekström (Audi), August 06, 2005, 1m 22.793s (157.796 km/h)
DTM race record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), August 08, 2010, 1m 24.372s (154.843 km/h)
Pole position 2012: Bruno Spengler (BMW), 1m 24.284s
Fastest lap 2012: Bruno Spengler (BMW), 1m 25.185s (153.365 km/h)
Turnout 2012: 89,000
TV live rating 2012: 1.19 million / 9.5 % market share (source: ARD)
Filipe Albuquerque about the Nürburgring: “I like the Nürburgring – a track I’ve got fond memories of and that I’ve always been quick on. I’ve won races there before. The sprint track looks pretty easy at first glance but, like any track, the Nürburgring has its technical aspects and secrets you’ve got to decode first. The best place for overtaking is at the end of the start-finish straight. But the corner I like most by far is the right-hander that leads to the back-straight. For me, this is one of the world’s nicest corners. You exit the left-hand turn in front of it in third gear and stay in this gear. You’ve got to precisely position the car, which suits me particularly well. You go downhill and at the exit the car slides toward the curbs. You get the feeling of sliding off track but the curbs catch the car. A really cool corner.”
Timetable
Friday, August 16
18:40–18:55 Roll-out
Saturday, August 17
09:10–10:40 Free practice
14:40–15:50 Qualifying
Sunday, August 18
08:00–08:30 Pit stop practice
13:30 Race
TV schedule (“Das Erste” live)
Saturday, August 17
14:30–16:00 Qualifying
Sunday, August 18
13:15–14:45 Race
Saturday, August 17
14:30–16:00 Qualifying
Sunday, August 18
13:15–14:45 Race
Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media
