DTM: Strong four days of official DTM testing for Audi at the Hungaroring

By Johan Laubscher

The DTM hosted the official ITR test days at the Hungaroring in Budapest this week. It was a four day test which began on Monday and came to a close on Thursday. All three of the DTM manufactures were present for testing.

Audi Sport arrived with four new 2014 Audi RS 5 DTM cars and all eight of its drivers. The four cars each came from the four (three) entered teams: Audi Sport Team Phoenix, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline and Audi Sport Team Abt (latter two teams both run by ABT Sportsline).

The liveries of the four cars were also revealed at the tests, the cars of Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider, Miguel Molina and Jamie Green.

The Audi Sport drivers alternated in their team cars during the four days of testing.

Monday kicked off well for the Audi squad, as the day ended with the four Audi RS 5 DTM cars topping the time sheets, a 1-2-3-4 lead by Miguel Molina. Tuesday again saw Audi on top, this time with new Audi DTM rookie, Nico Müller, ahead of Mattias Ekström. Wednesday saw Mercedes Benz’s Christian Vietoris setting the best time, with the fastest Audi driver being Adrien Tambay in sixth. The four days of testing concluded on Thursday. Christian Vietoris was the fastest driver on Thursday. Edoardo Mortara was the fastest Audi on the final day, fourth.

Nico Müller set the fastest Audi time at the Hungaroring this week, his 1:37.505 from Tuesday afternoon. The Audi Sport squad totaled 7154 km of testing with 1633 laps competed during the four days of testing. Official DTM testing will resume at Hockenheim from 14-17 April.

The 2014 DTM season will be kicking off with the first round at Hockenheim on 4 May.

Monday morning results:
1st Jamie Green (GBR) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.200 minutes
2nd Adrien Tambay (FRA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.518
3rd Miguel Molina (ESP) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.531
4th Bruno Spengler (CAN) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.242
5th Mike Rockenfeller (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:39.547
6th Maxime Martin (BEL) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.655
7th Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.666
8th Joey Hand (USA) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.748
9th Paul Di Resta (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.383
10th Gary Paffett (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.434
11th Vitaly Petrov (RUS) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.741

Monday afternoon and overall results:

1st Miguel Molina (ESP) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:37.792 minutes

2nd Jamie Green (GBR) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.200

3rd Adrien Tambay (FRA) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.518

4th Mike Rockenfeller (DEU) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.842

5th Bruno Spengler (CAN) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.242

6th Maxime Martin (BEL) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.549

7th Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.666

8th Joey Hand (USA) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.679

9th Paul Di Resta (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.383

10th Gary Paffett (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.434

11th Vitaly Petrov (RUS) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.741

Tuesday morning results:
1st Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.190 minutes
2nd Nico Müller (CHE) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.308
3rd Bruno Spengler (CAN) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.458
4th Mattias Ekström (SWE) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.569
5th Edoardo Mortara (ITA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.796
6th Marco Wittmann (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.905
7th Vitaly Petrov (RUS) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.134
8th Gary Paffett (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.413
9th Timo Scheider (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:39.419
10th Paul Di Resta (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.812
11th Joey Hand (USA) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.910
12th Pascal Wehrlein (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:40.028

Tuesday afternoon and overall results:

Testing times, Tuesday, 1st April, day two completed:

1st Nico Müller (CHE) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:37.505 minutes

2nd Mattias Ekström (SWE) Audi RS5 DTM 1:37.912

3rd Gary Paffett (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:37.927

4th Paul Di Resta (GBR) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38,121

5th Marco Wittmann (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.160

6th Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT) BMW M4 DTM 1:38,168

7th Joey Hand (USA) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.286

8th Bruno Spengler (CAN) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.458

9th Vitaly Petrov (RUS) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38.781

10th Edoardo Mortara (ITA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.796

11th Timo Scheider (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:39.054

12th Pascal Wehrlein (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.826

Wednesday morning results:
1st Adrien Tambay (FRA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.014 minutes
2nd Miguel Molina (ESP) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.187
3rd Nico Müller (CHE) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.408
4th Augusto Farfus (BRA) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.618
5th Marco Wittmann (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.779
6th Timo Scheider (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.813
7th Timo Glock (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.835
8th Martin Tomczyk (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.057
9th Robert Wickens (CAN) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.255
10th Christian Vietoris (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.342
11th Pascal Wehrlein (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.408
12th Daniel Juncadella (ESP) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.542

Wednesday afternoon and overall results:

1st Christian Vietoris (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:37.461 minutes

2nd Marco Wittmann (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:37.837

3rd Timo Glock (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:37.861

4th Augusto Farfus (BRA) BMW M4 DTM 1:37.895

5th Pascal Wehrlein (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38.002

6th Adrien Tambay (FRA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.014

7th Nico Müller (CHE) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.069

8th Timo Scheider (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.167

9th Miguel Molina (ESP) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.187

10th Martin Tomczyk (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.417

11th Robert Wickens (CAN) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38.901

12th Daniel Juncadella (ESP) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:39.437

Thursday morning results:

1st Edoardo Mortara (ITA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:37.806 minutes
2nd Mattias Ekström (SWE) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.191
3rd Jamie Green (GBR) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38.549
4th Daniel Juncadella (ESP) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38.560
5th Robert Wickens (CAN) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38.579
6th Mike Rockenfeller (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38.612
7th Augusto Farfus (BRA) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.630
8th Christian Vietoris (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38.932
9th Martin Tomczyk (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38.933
10th Timo Glock (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.049
11th Maxime Martin (BEL) BMW M4 DTM 1:39.146

Thursday afternoon and overall results:
1. Christian Vietoris (DEU) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:37,620 minutes
2. Augusto Farfus (BRA) BMW M4 DTM 1:37,640
3. Maxime Martin (BEL) BMW M4 DTM 1:37,733
4. Edoardo Mortara (ITA) Audi RS5 DTM 1:37,806
5. Mike Rockenfeller (DEU) Audi RS5 DTM 1:37,842
6. Daniel Juncadella (ESP) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38,122
7. Mattias Ekström (SWE) Audi RS5 DTM 1:38,191
8. Robert Wickens (CAN) DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:38,252
9. Miguel Molina (ESP) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38,279
10. Timo Glock (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38,289
11. Jamie Green (GBR) Audi RS 5 DTM 1:38,455
12. Martin Tomczyk (DEU) BMW M4 DTM 1:38,933

Testing results sourced from DTM.com

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

Phenomenal 2013 for Phoenix Racing with Audi

By Tarek Ramchani

2013 has been a great year for Phoenix Racing with Audi. DTM champions with Mike Rocknefeller, as well as many successes in GT racing with the Audi R8 LMS ultra. A look back at a phenomenal season for the Nürburgring based squad.

As a factory team in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) under the Audi Sport Team Phoenix banner, Phoenix Racing had a great and successful year in the most demanding touring car series in the world. The team's star, Mike Rockenfeller, clinched a very well deserved drivers' title. This was the second drivers' trophy for team Phoenix in the DTM, following Martin Tomczyk's crown in 2011. Rocky won twice this year, taking victory at Brands Hatch and Moscow Raceway. He also took many podium places and scored enough points to secure his maiden title. The team's second driver, Miguel Molina, had a strong recovery during the second half of the season with his all red Audi RS 5 DTM. The Spanish Audi driver bounced back and helped Audi Sport Team Phoenix to take their first ever DTM teams' title. Two out of two and mission accomplished for the team managed by Ernst Moser. Phoenix has proved that they are no longer a "satellite" team and that they are capable of not only taking race victories, but championship titles as well. Not an easy task against a full field of stars and factory teams from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Success also came from the German VLN Endurance Championship. Three overall victories from nine races at the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife. These are very strong results given as to how the Audi R8 LMS ultra was penalized all season long in GT3 racing. Marcel Fässler and Frank Stippler won round 3, the 55. ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup (second race of the season) with their #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra. Frank Stippler along with the Stuck brothers, Ferdinand and Johannes, won the fourth round with the #15 Audi R8 LMS ultra, the 44. Adenauer ADAC Simfy Trophy. Their third victory was at the season finale, the 38. DMV Münsterlandpokal, with Marc Basseng, Laurens Vanthoor and Christian Mamerow in the #37 Audi R8 LMS ultra.

At the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Phoenix Racing entered no less than three cars. The Audi team took a fine pole position with Frank Stippler in the #4 Audi R8 LMS ultra. The team battled really well in extreme conditions, yet bad luck hit all three of the cars. The best ranked car was the #1 G-Drive Racing By Phoenix entry in fifth overall with Mike Rockenfeller, Marcel Fässler, Frank Stippler and Markus Winkelhock.

Phoenix Racing also performed well in the demanding Blancpain Endurance Series. Two cars took part in all five races within the Pro-Cup class. The two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars were driven by: Harold Primat, Christopher Haase and Oliver Jarvis in the #6 car, and the #16 machine was driven by Markus Winkelhock, Anthony Kumpen and Enzo Ide. The team always battled hard in what is clearly the best GT3 field worldwide. Strong performances, some bad luck, and a fine fourth place at the Spa 24 Hours, the stellar event of the series with Harold Primat, Christopher Haase and Oliver Jarvis.

The FIA GT Series was also part of Phoenix Racing's program in 2013. Only one car entered the SRO organised series with Belgian duo Anthony Kumpen and Enzo Ide. Phoenix was very unlucky in many of the races and also skipped two rounds, Slovakia Ring and Navarra. However, the team will be back for the season finale at Baku, again with a single car effort, which will be driven by Enzo Ide and Markus Winkelhock.

At the Bathurst 12 Hour, Phoenix Racing entered a single Audi R8 LMS ultra aiming to defend their 2012 victory. The car was driven by Harold Primat, Johan Kristoffersson and Andreas Simonsen. The #1 Audi qualified in seventh and finished the Aussie enduro event in fifth place overall.

Photo credit: Phoenix Racing

DTM: Phoenix Racing Champion’s Party celebrations

By Johan Laubscher

Phoenix Racing hosted a “Champion’s Party” on Saturday evening, which celebrated the many successes enjoyed by Phoenix Racing during 2013.

Many guests were present to celebrate this tremendous year with Phoenix Racing. A number of race cars were also on display at the event, including the RS 5 DTM of Mike Rockenfeller and a number of Phoenix’s Audi R8 LMS ultra cars.

It has certainly been a terrific year for Phoenix Racing. The drivers’ and teams’ titles in the DTM and multiple wins and podiums with the Audi R8 LMS ultra.

Photo credit: 

berzerkdesign.de

Martin Tomczyk Fanseite on Facebook

DTM: Audi driver Rockenfeller wins ADAC voting

Audi Press Release

•   DTM Champion is “ADAC Motorsportsman of the Year 2013”
•   Judges recognize sporting success and fair conduct
•   Rockenfeller: “I know how valuable this accolade is”

Ingolstadt, October 24, 2013 – On the race track, Mike Rockenfeller has already been ‘number one’ this year. And Europe’s largest automobile club has now made the Audi factory driver its number one as well: A panel of expert judges voted the DTM Champion “ADAC Motorsportsman of the Year 2013.” 

Walter Röhrl, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel: This list of leading lights of German motorsport now includes Mike Rockenfeller as well, who, following his victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in the 2010 season, has made another dream come true on winning the DTM title at the wheel of an Audi RS 5 DTM. “When I joined Audi, my aims were to win Le Mans and the DTM – and I’ve achieved both,” says the 29-year-old. “Now, being ADAC Motorsportsman of the Year on top of that is incredible. I know how valuable this accolade is and can only thank the judges – and of course all who have helped me win the DTM this year.” Among other things, the judges, in their supporting justification, recognized Mike Rockenfeller’s success, fair conduct and the fact that he stood his ground and prevailed in an extremely difficult sporting environment. 

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich was delighted about the selection of Rockenfeller who will be celebrating his 30th birthday next week: “I think there’s no one in the DTM paddock who begrudged ‘Rocky’ the title this year. Mike not only drove a really superb season. He was also always fair in the duels with his rivals. I think this was exactly what impressed the judges, too.”

“I can only congratulate ADAC on this choice as well,” says Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. “Mike is a worthy DTM Champion, a driver who epitomizes motorsport in Germany – and simply a nice guy. At Audi, we value this trait just as much as the fans in the paddock do for whom ‘Rocky’ always finds time.”

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media

DTM: Victory lap celebrations for Rocky in Neckarsulm

By Johan Laubscher

The DTM celebration continued today. Mike Rockenfeller was in Neckarsulm today, taking part in post-DTM season celebrations.

Rocky and his #19 Phoenix Racing Audi RS 5 DTM were on display in Neckarsulm, with many PR activities and victory laps around the Audi Neckarsulm facilities. The newly crowned champion was also on hand to sign autographs inside of Audi Forum Neckarsulm. The celebrations were organised in order to say thank you to all of the Audi Sport staff responsible for the developed at Audi Sport in Neckarsulm. 

It has been a terrific year for Audi in the DTM, as the drivers’ and teams’ titles were returned to the family of the Four Rings, with Rocky and Phoenix Racing as the champions. 

A selection of photos from the Audi Forum Neckarsulm Facebook page have been included below:

Photo credit: Audi Forum Neckarsulm on Facebook

DTM: Eager anticipation of DTM home round at Norisring

Audi Press Release 

•          Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller travels to Nuremberg as leader of the standings
•          Newcomer Jamie Green with best Norisring tally of all drivers
•          Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen supports Audi team

Ingolstadt/Nuremberg, July 5, 2013 – A full grandstand made of stone, thousands of Audi flags and a unique atmosphere between the Dutzendteich lake and the paddock: The entire Audi team is looking forward to the DTM home round with eager anticipation. With a strong performance by the whole squad the drivers and teams are aiming to bring Audi’s first victory at the Norisring since 2002 home to Ingolstadt.

Only 75 kilometers, as the crow flies, separate the Audi headquarters in Ingolstadt and the race track in the heart of Nuremberg. Accordingly, there is a large fan community of employees and followers who support the Audi line-up year after year. In 2013, the Audi Sport Teams Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg are leaving no stone unturned to give the ‘Audians’ a good reason to celebrate on Sunday.



The last Audi victory at the Norisring was clinched by Laurent Aiello in June 2002. His duel with DTM record champion Bernd Schneider across the entire race distance of 44 laps back then is still regarded as one of the most spectacular races in DTM history and ended in an advantage of 0.197 seconds. Although Mattias Ekström and Timo Scheider mounted the podium six times since then, another victory has not been clinched there to date. Newcomer Jamie Green is bringing four triumphs to the squad at the only city street race on the DTM calendar. The Briton won in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, thus acquiring the nickname ‘Mister Norisring.’

At the Norisring in particular, the Drag Reduction System (DRS), which allows the angle of the rear wing to be flattened by pushing a button on the steering wheel, will be an important factor in the battle for victory. Especially at the end of the long start-finish straight, the race drivers when braking into the Grundig turn have an ideal opportunity for overtaking. The option tires, which may only be used during the race, provide the strategists with another thrilling tactical tool. As the race track, which only has a length of 2.3 kilometers, uses roads with different types of asphalt and concrete surfaces that are normally open to regular traffic tires are a particularly interesting topic.

The Audi squad will be enjoying prominent support in a spirit of friendship by Tom Kristensen. The Le Mans record winner, who just won the legendary 24-hour race in France for the ninth time, is visiting his brand colleagues at the Norisring. Kristensen himself competed in the DTM from 2004 to 2009 and finished all of his six races in Nuremberg in the top eight. On the weekend, the Dane will be driving his Le Mans winning car, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, across the race track for a few demo laps. 


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, as usual, ARD will broadcast live on “Das Erste:” Qualifying on Saturday (July 13) starting at 14:30, the race on Sunday (July 14) starting at 13:15.

Quotes by the officials

Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): “It’s a nice feeling to travel to the Norisring as the leader of the standings. All the fans and employees who support us on location always make a race there very special for us, so my wish is for us to be able to clinch the corresponding, positive result. I’m not only focused on Jamie (Green) with his past Norisring victories in this respect. We’ve got a strong team in general and will try and get as many of our guys as possible to the far front of the field.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “For us as a Bavarian team, the race at the Norisring naturally is the pinnacle of the season. Our strong wish is to finally give something back to all the fans and supporters. With Jamie (Green) in the team we’ve got a proven Norisring expert in our ranks who may be able to give our squad the crucial impulse in the right direction.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “With Mike (Rockenfeller) we’re traveling to the Norisring as the leader of the standings. Audi’s big aim for years has been to finally win here again – and that’s our big aim again this weekend. We know that in terms of speed we’ve got what it takes to do so.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “The summer break was long enough. Our whole squad is now looking forward to the round in the ‘German Monaco.’ If it were up to me, Edo (Mortara) or Filipe (Albuquerque) would be the drivers to end Audi’s long barren spell there.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Filipe Albuquerque (28/P), Audi Financial Services RS 5 DTM #6 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Contested a round of the GRAND-AM Series in the Audi R8 during the break
• Is competing in his third DTM season in the same team with the same team-mate
“While in 2012 I often finished in the points the 2013 season has been disappointing for me so far. No matter where I start from – I always end up at the far rear. We’re going to give everything to make sure this will soon change again. The Norisring is a very unusual track – so it may be a good venue for the tables to turn.”

Mattias Ekström (34/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #11 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• Was on podium at the Norisring five times before
• Is celebrating his 35th birthday on race Sunday
“My aim is victory. Following a strong qualifying performance, winning the race again for the first time in many years was in our hands last year. But after the first lap of the race it was all over due to a collision. That’s why I’d like to repeat the Saturday this year and am wishing for a smooth race on Sunday. I’m very much looking forward to the Norisring.”

Jamie Green (31/GB), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #12 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• Won at the Norisring in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012
• At the Lausitzring, scored his first points as an Audi driver
“The characteristics of the Norisrings can’t be compared with any other race track. That’s why it’s difficult to make a prediction about the relative strengths. Naturally, I’ve got a special relationship with this race. But even though I’ve won there four times that’s no guarantee for anything – especially not in the DTM. Before and on the weekend, I’ll be working just as hard as always, prepare myself and set up the car.”

Miguel Molina (24/E), Audi RS 5 DTM #20 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• Will be advertising the 2013 Audi Cup again on his Audi RS 5 DTM
• Is increasingly improving his German due to his second residence in Adenau
“It’s been a long time that Audi has won this race. We’re going to give everything to be successful at the home round. We know that we can do it. But we must try and put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a single weekend. We had a bit of time to take a breather and are now traveling to the Norisring with top motivation.”

Edoardo Mortara (26/F/I), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• With his victories in Macau, is regarded as an expert for city street circuits
• Contested a round of the GRAND-AM Series in the Audi R8
“After a personally successful season in 2012, it’s hard now having to battle for each single point. At the Lausitzring, we took a step in the right direction. Now I’m hoping for us to be able to continue this way at the Norisring.”

Mike Rockenfeller (29/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• Is traveling to the Norisring as the leader of the standings with the same points score as Bruno Spengler
• Is the only Audi driver to have won a race in the 2013 season so far
“As the only city street circuit on the calendar, the Norisring is something very special. We’ve got a lot of fans there who keep their fingers crossed for us every year. I’m hoping that we’ll finally be able to live up to their expectations. Mercedes-Benz has traditionally been very strong in Nuremberg but this time the cards have been reshuffled, also thanks to the option tires and DRS. We’re not necessarily the favorites, but we’re going to attack.”

Timo Scheider (34/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #23 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• On a visit to Moscow during the summer break, promoted the DTM race there
• Won the Audi Sailing Cup with his race engineer Markus Michelberger
“It’s almost incredible that at the Norisring we’re already at the season’s mid-point. I’m looking forward to the race, to the atmosphere between the narrow grandstands and above all to the many Audi fans who are supporting us. We’re traveling to Nuremberg with optimism and are going to give everything to clinch an Audi victory.”

Adrien Tambay (22/F), Audi ultra RS 5 DTM #24 (Audi Sport Team Abt) 
• Has only run once before in a DTM car at the Norisring
• Just barely missed scoring his first point in the 2013 season at the Lausitzring
“I’m looking forward to the Norisring because it’s not comparable with other race tracks. Before the DTM, I drove there in other racing categories. Even though I scored no points, I had good races at Spielberg and at the Lausitzring. Now the next step can follow: a good race and points!”

The Audi drivers in the 2013 DTM

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: 24; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 35; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Norisring: 11 (2012)

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: 128; pole positions: 19; victories: 17; fastest laps: 12; points: 635; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result DTM Norisring: 2 (2010)

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: 87; pole positions: 6; victories: 8; fastest laps: 13; points: 371.5; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Norisring: 1 (2008/2009/2010/2012)

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: 35; pole positions: 2; victories: 0 (best result: 3rd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 34; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 12 (2011/2012)

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: 24; pole positions: 1; victories: 2; fastest laps: 0; points: 105; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Norisring: 5 (2011)

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: 65; pole positions: 2; victories: 2; fastest laps: 3; points: 218; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Norisring: 6 (2012)

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: 133; pole positions: 11; victories: 6; fastest laps: 9; points: 383; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result DTM Norisring: 3 (2008)

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: 14; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 28; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Norisring: 15 (2012)

DTM drivers’ standings after four of ten rounds
1 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 59 points 
2 Bruno Spengler (BMW) 59 points
3 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 47 points
4 Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz) 40 points
5 Augusto Farfus (BMW) 33 points
6 Marco Wittmann (BMW) 32 points
7 Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) 27 points
8 Dirk Werner (BMW) 22 points
9 Mattias Ekström (Audi) 20 points
10 Joey Hand (BMW) 16 points
11 Timo Glock (BMW) 15 points
12 Jamie Green (Audi) 10 points
13 Timo Scheider (Audi) 10 points
14 Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes-Benz) 8 points
15 Edoardo Mortara (Audi) 2 points
16 Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz) 2 points
17 Roberto Merhi (Mercedes-Benz) 2 points

DTM manufacturers’ standings
1 BMW 177 points
2 Mercedes-Benz 126 points
3 Audi 101 points

DTM team standings
1 BMW Team Schnitzer 81 points
2 STIHL/AMG Mercedes 67 points
3 Audi Sport Team Phoenix 59 points
4 EURONICS/THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG 49 points
5 BMW Team RBM 49 points
6 BMW Team MTEK 47 points
7 Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline 30 points
8 Audi Sport Team Abt 10 points
9 stern/AMG Mercedes 10 points
10 Audi Sport Team Rosberg 2 points

Audi DTM statistics (since 1990)

Champion’s titles: 8 (in 16 years)
Victories: 64 (in 202 races)
Pole positions: 69 (in 166 qualifying sessions)
Fastest laps: 55 (in 202 races)
Podium positions: 202 (in 202 races)

All Norisring winners since 2000

2000 Joachim Winkelhock (Opel), Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2001 Uwe Alzen (Mercedes-Benz)
2002 Laurent Aiello (Abt-Audi)
2003 Christijan Albers (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2006 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2008 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2009 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2010 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2011 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2012 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)

2012 flashback: Disappointment for Audi at home round

Following extreme heat on both days of practice and qualifying completely different conditions of rainy weather and cooler temperatures prevailed in Nuremberg on race day, which caused a major commotion right in the first turn. Mattias Ekström was pushed from behind into the car in front and had to park his Red Bull Audi A5 DTM, which had been the fastest Audi during the whole weekend, right after the first lap with a heavily damaged front end. Mike Rockenfeller was one of the few Audi drivers to make it through turn one unharmed but, due to a jammed wheel nut, lost valuable time at the first pit stop and in sixth place was ultimately the best Audi driver.

Track info

Track length: 2.300 km
Race distance: 83 laps = 190.900 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), June 28, 2008, 47.785s (173.276 km/h)
DTM race record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), June 29, 2008, 48.446s (170.912 km/h)
Pole position 2012: Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz),49.139s
Fastest lap 2012: Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz),54.451s (152.063 km/h)
Turnout 2012: 135,000
TV live rating 2012: 1.50 million/11.8 % market share (source: ARD)

Jamie Green about the Norisring: “On my first Norisring run I took two pole positions in Formula 3 and in the DTM I’ve won four times in front of this great crowd that always completely fills the grandstand at the start and finish. So obviously I’m getting along quite well there, despite the fact that the Norisring is a pretty strange track that isn’t the most enjoyable one to drive on. There are tracks and turns that are more fun. At the Norisring, it’s mainly about braking, slow turns and driving with little downforce in a way we don’t normally do in the DTM. Because there are only straights and slow turns you can follow the car in front of you more closely than in other DTM races and that’s why duels there are better than in other DTM races.”

Timetable

Friday, July 12
18:45–19:00 Roll-out

Saturday, July 13
09:05–10:35 Free practice
14:40–15:50 Qualifying

Sunday, July 14
08:55–09:35 Pit stop practice
13:30 Race

TV schedule (“Das Erste” live)

Saturday, July 13
14:30–16:00 Qualifying

Sunday, July 14
13:15–15:00 Race 

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media

Audi Sport Team Phoenix eager to take the DTM title

By Tarek Ramchani

For the eighth straight season Phoenix Racing will be partnering with Audi as a works entry in the DTM. In 2011 they had a magical season by winning the driver's title with Martin Tomczyk, who was driving an older specification Audi A4 DTM R14. This season the Ernst Moser managed squad is aiming high and wants to take the DTM title.

Audi Sport Team Phoenix is fielding two Audi RS 5 DTM cars this year, and they will again count on their 2012 drivers, Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina.

Mike Rockenfeller has been a regular at Phoenix for many years now, both in the DTM and long distance races with the Audi R8 LMS. Last season "Rocky" finished fourth overall in the points standings, the best ranked Audi driver in a very hard season for the Four Rings. A big change for Rockenfeller this year, as he will not race with the Audi LMP1 squad in WEC and at Le Mans. He will focus solely on the DTM and try to fight for the title. Rocknefeller is driving the #19 Schaeffler supported Audi RS 5 DTM.

Miguel Molina from Spain is in his second season with team Phoenix, the fourth with Audi in the DTM, after two years at Abt Sportsline. Last year was a very hard year for him, he finished in a very disappointing eighteenth overall. The Spanish driver wants to bounce back and prove he is still fast and capable of challenging the big names in the demanding German touring car series. Molina is driving the #20 all red Audi RS 5 DTM.

Audi Sport Team Phoenix will aim to improve their position in the team's standing as well, last season they finished seventh overall.

Photo credit: Audi Media

Audi Sport Team Phoenix wants victory at VLN 6 hours race

By Tarek Ramchani

Round seven of the VLN Endurance Series at the Nordschleife this weekend. Five Audi R8 LMS ultra cars are set to race the 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen. The longest event of the VLN calendar.

Audi Sport Team Phoenix fresh from a historical victory at the Spa 24 hours last weekend are fielding a pair of factory supported Audi R8 LMS ultra cars. The #5 cars will be shared by Christopher Haase, Christer Jöns and Luca Ludwig. Christopher Haase finished second overall last weekend in a WRT run R8 LMS ultra at the Spa 24 Hours. Christer Jöns is an Audi regular in ADAC GT Masters and has won the Bathurst 12 Hours earlier this season with team Phoenix.

The sister #15 Bilstein backed Audi R8 LMS ultra will be in the hands of veterans Marc Basseng, Frank Stippler and youngster René Rast. Stippler and Rast won the Spa 24 Hours together, while Stippler along with Basseng won last time out in VLN.

Two Audi R8 LMS ultra will come from the Audi race experience team. The #11 Audi will have Florian Gruber,
Luca Cappellari and Christian Bollrath as drivers. The second #22 car will be driven by Michael Erlich, Aditya Patel and team leader Marco Werner. Audi race experience is run by TKL Motorsport, an effort set up for Audi customers.

The fifth Audi R8 LMS ultra is entered by team Raeder Motorsport. The #44 Audi will have a trio of fast and experienced drivers, Christian Hohenadel, Thomas Mutsch, and Audi legend Frank Biela. The trio have a third place finish as their best result so far at round 5.

The Audi R8 LMS teams will have to fight a very strong and large field of top SP9 cars. Manthey Racing is fielding a very strong Porsche 997 GT3 R for Audi regulars Romain Dumas and a returning Timo Bernard, his first race after the nasty crash at Sebring with an Audi R18 ultra. Other strong rivals will come from the pair of ROWE Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and a BMW Z4 GT3 from Team Schubert.

In addition to the Audi R8 LMS ultra cars in the top SP9 class (GT3), four Audi TT RS cars will also enter the SP4T class. The factory quattro GmbH built cars will try to fight hard for overall positions and to finish in the top 10 outright.

The qualifying is set for Saturday morning while the race will start at 12:00 local time.

Photo credit: Norbert Kratz

 

The next historic success for Audi

Audi Press Release

• One-two victory of Audi R8 LMS ultra at Spa 24 Hours

• Three 24-hour triumphs for Audi within just 71 days

• Successes at the Nürburgring, Le Mans and Spa

Ingolstadt/Spa-Francorchamps, July 29, 2012 – For the second consecutive time, the Audi R8 won the most important endurance race for GT3 sports cars – thus writing another chapter of motorsport history.

For the first time ever, an automobile manufacturer managed to decide the three most important 24-hour races in Europe in its favor: Nürburgring (D), Le Mans (F) and now Spa-Francorchamps (B) – within just 71 days.

66 sports cars from twelve different marques competed at the 54th running of the 24-hour race on the Grand Prix circuit in the Belgian Ardennes. After 509 laps on the 7.004-kilometer track two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars prevailed against their competition from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren and company. Andrea Piccini (I), René Rast (D) and Frank Stippler (D) triumphed in the R8 of Audi Sport Team Phoenix in front of their brand colleagues Christopher Haase (D) Christopher Mies (D) and Stéphane Ortelli (MC) from Audi Sport Team WRT.

The Le Mans winners Marcel Fässler (CH), Tom Kristensen (DK) and André Lotterer (D) in the second car of Audi Sport Team Phoenix after a spectacular recovery from position 63 finished in sixth place. The second Audi R8 LMS ultra of Audi Sport Team WRT with Marco Bonanomi (I), Edward Sandström (S) and Laurens Vanthoor (B) retired at the beginning of the 21st hour due to an accident in the famous “Eau Rouge” corner.

“Winning three 24-hour races within just 71 days is another milestone in the successful motorsport history of our company,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich after the historic triumph. “The field at Spa was unique and enormously competitive. There were more than 20 vehicles in contention for victory. In the end, the combination of quality, reliability and speed for which Audi is known prevailed yet again. Everybody who was involved in achieving this historic triple can be proud – first and foremost of course our teams and drivers, but naturally all of our employees in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Biberach as well.”

After a difficult first race hour, the Audi R8 LMS ultra cars following a correction of the tire pressure managed to improve position by position and put pressure on the BMW cars that were initially leading. Audi started to gather its first leading kilometers in the fourth hour. From the ninth hour on, the Audi R8 LMS ultra cars took command of the field at Spa for good – and at times in extremely difficult conditions with torrential rain, minimal vision and a total of 16 safety car periods.

During the race the Audi drivers did not give each other the slightest break either. Up to 30 minutes before the end of the race, the two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars – numbers “16” and “1” – of the two Audi Sport Teams Phoenix and WRT were fighting a fierce duel for overall victory. The lead kept changing between the two cars. The overtaking maneuver that pre-decided the outcome was achieved by Frank Stippler shortly before 3 p.m. In addition, the strategy of Audi Sport Team Phoenix to change the front brake pads a second time on Sunday morning during a safety car period proved to be right. The final decision was made 30 minutes before the end of the race when Stéphane Ortelli had to sit a drive-through penalty.

“Like at the Nürburgring 24 hours, despite the enormously high speed as in a sprint race we didn’t have the slightest technical problem,” said a pleased Werner Frowein from quattro GmbH which is responsible for the development and sales of the GT3 sports car. “This triumph is another piece of proof that the R8 LMS ultra is the bench mark on the endurance circuit.”

Marcel Fässler, Tom Kristensen and André Lotterer, who were among the quickest drivers in the field, were able to see the qualities of the mid-engine sports car for themselves as well. Shortly before the end of the first hour, Lotterer was hit by another vehicle that suddenly turned into the pit lane. After changing the tie rod on the front axle the Le Mans winners resumed the race with a gap of eleven laps on position 63. In the end, they had pushed forward to position six and made up three laps.

As the best Audi customer team, the British GT3 Racing squad with their Audi R8 LMS achieved a remarkable 14th place overall and ninth in the Pro Am class. “And right in our first 24-hour race and only our fourth running of this car,” said Team Director Aaron Scott, positively summing up the race.

Teams Sainteloc Racing, JB Motorsport and Alfab finished with their R8 LMS cars as well. The R8 LMS ultra cars from Sainteloc Racing and United Autosports retired due to accidents. The French Sainteloc squad was running in the sensational fifth place overall some of the time.

Audi Sport Spa 24 factory liveries

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi won the Spa 24 Hours outright last year with the Audi R8 LMS. This weekend the Ingolstadt brand will try to defend its title with four officially entered Audi R8 LMS ultra cars. Two cars from Audi Sport Team Phoenix and two from Audi Sport Team WRT. Audi could make history as well by winning the three major 24 hour races in Europe in the same year: The Nürbrugring, Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hour races. The race itself is not only prestigious but it is also round 4 of the Blancpain Endurance Series, where only Team WRT compete on a full season basis. Here are the official liveries of the four Audi cars.

Audi Sport Team WRT:

#1 Audi Sport Team WRT: Christopher Haase, Christopher Mies and Stephane Ortelli

#2 Audi Sport Team WRT: Edward Sandstrom, Laurens Vanthoor and Marco Bonanomi

Audi Sport Team Phoenix:

#6 Audi Sport Team Phoenix: Andre Lottere, Marcel Fassler and Tom Kristensen

#16 Audi Performance Cars Team Phoenix: Andrea Piccini, Frank Stippler and Rene Rast