Audi Press Release
- Victory in the manufacturers classification is joint aim at Hockenheim
- Tailwind due to Mattias Ekström’s triumph at Zandvoort
- Audi with the world’s sportiest piloted driving car
21 is the magic number before the DTM season finale at Hockenheim to which Audi will be traveling as the hunter. These points must be recovered to capture the title of the best manufacturer in the DTM from BMW. The squad will also be assisted in this effort by the tailwind gained in the weekend before last at Zandvoort where Mike Rockenfeller on setting the fastest qualifying time and Mattias Ekström on clinching victory in the race again demonstrated the potential of the Audi RS 5 DTM. Audi had started the season from the top spot of the grid at the Hockenheim opening race in May and was represented on the podium with two drivers.
The new DTM will be holding its 32nd race at Hockenheim next weekend. The 4.574-kilometer track a little less than an hour’s drive south of Frankfurt has traditionally been on the calendar as the venue for the opener and finale of each season. The Motodrom with its large grandstands located directly alongside the track creates a stadium-like character and the resulting unique atmosphere. The current stage of advance ticket sales shows that the drivers can again look forward to an impressive finale with a large turnout of fans.
Hockenheim suits the Audi drivers well. Mattias Ekström, Jamie Green and Timo Scheider have won several races here. Since the DTM’s comeback in 2000, the current Audi drivers have mounted the very top of the podium an amazing five times, started from the pole position 13 times and clinched a total of 26 podium places. Heading the list is the two-time Champion Ekström who has won ten trophies at Hockenheim alone.
Before the race, Audi will be taking the world’s sportiest piloted driving car to the starting line. The driverless Audi RS 7 piloted driving concept* laps the circuit almost as fast as it would with a race driver at the wheel. The tests give reason to expect a lap time of a little more than two minutes. With this demonstration Audi will be showing the great potential of piloted driving which the premium manufacturer has in store for the future. The drive will be broadcast live and exclusively on the internet on Audi MediaTV on October 19 starting at 12.45 (www.audimedia.tv/en).
TV viewers can watch the DTM live. ‘Das Erste’ will be airing live coverage on Saturday at 14.30 and on Sunday starting at 13.30 directly from Hockenheim.
Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): “The victory at Zandvoort has given us additional tailwind for attacking again at Hockenheim. The title of the best manufacturer is our aim – we’re going to jointly battle for it. The pole position clinched by Adrien (Tambay) in the season opener at Hockenheim showed that our RS 5 DTM works well on this track.”
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “Mattias’ (Ekström) victory was a great relief for all of us, as well as great motivation for the finale. It’s about the title of the best manufacturer, as well as the runner-up’s spot in the teams’ and drivers’ classifications. We’re determined to do our bit in this effort – preferably by clinching the next victory.”
Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “The finale is the last opportunity for everybody to feature again. The first Audi victory has been clinched, so we’re going to hit the track with a load off our minds. In Timo (Scheider) and Mike (Rockenfeller) we’ve got two hot irons in the fire.”
Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “The finale is a highlight of the season for all of us and for our team it’s another home round as well. Despite many setbacks during the course of the year we remain fully motivated and are sticking to our aim of winning this race.”
Mattias Ekström (36/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #7 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• Won his 18th DTM race at Zandvoort
• Is the runner-up in the championship standings
“It was a great feeling to wake up as the winner on the morning after Zandvoort. I’d like to enjoy this moment again after the finale at Hockenheim. In second place, I had a good start of the season in May. Now I’d like to finish another place further at the front.”
Jamie Green (32/GB), Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM #21 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Won the finale at Hockenheim in 2007 and 2011
• Is in his tenth DTM season
“The last race of the year is a special event for all of us with a unique atmosphere. I’ve won the finale twice before in my career. We’ve got a strong car and have got what it takes to win if everything perfectly fits together. As on any weekend, we’re going to give our best.”
Miguel Molina (25/E), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• Drove his 50th DTM race at Zandvoort
• Is in second place of the team championship together with Mattias Ekström
“The season opener in May was positive for our team, and so was the past race weekend – that’s why we’re tackling the finale on a positive note as well. I promise: we’re going to work hard in order to score a lot of points for Audi.”
Edoardo Mortara (27/I), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• Is battling for the runner-up’s spot in the championship at Hockenheim
• Has scored points in six rounds of the season so far
“The weekend at Zandvoort was turbulent and successful. That further stimulates our excitement about an impressive finale with a large crowd of fans.”
Nico Müller (22/CH), Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Is in his first DTM season
• At age 22, is the youngest driver in Audi’s DTM line-up
“I’ve got special memories of Hockenheim because that’s where I contested my first DTM race in May. For me, it’s also a kind of home race which additionally pleases me. I’d like to continue the good qualifying performance from Zandvoort and convert it into a good race result at the end of the season.”
Mike Rockenfeller (30/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #1 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• Set the fastest lap of all Audi drivers at Zandvoort
• Started from the pole position at Zandvoort
“Hockenheim marks the end of a season of which I obviously had completely different expectations. This doesn’t change my motivation in any way: I’d like to give everything again in the finale. I’ve long digested the frustration from Zandvoort where a victory would have been possible.”
Timo Scheider (35/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #2 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• Made the quickest pit stop of all Audi drivers at Zandvoort
• Has celebrated a DTM title twice in the finale at Hockenheim
“We all know: a good race, a good result or maybe even a victory makes life a lot more pleasant during the winter break. A podium position would already have been possible in the season opener. It shows us that our car is strong at Hockenheim. I’d like to show a strong weekend for Audi, for my team and for all the fans.”
Adrien Tambay (23/F), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #16 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• Started from the pole position at Hockenheim in May
• Was on podium in the opening race
“With the pole position and third place in the first race this was a bit of a dream start of the season for me. Consequently, I’m particularly eager to return to Hockenheim now after a long and exciting season.”
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: 143; pole positions: 19; victories: 18; fastest laps: 13; points: 764; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result DTM Hockenheim: 1 (2007, 2008)
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: 102; pole positions: 7; victories: 8; fastest laps: 13; points: 424.5; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Hockenheim: 1 (2007, 2011)
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: 50; pole positions: 2; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 3; points: 81; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Hockenheim: 3
Edoardo Mortara (I): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH); married to Montserrat; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 39; pole positions: 1; victories: 2; fastest laps: 0; points: 174; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Hockenheim: 6
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: 9; pole positions: 0; victories: 0; fastest laps: 1; points: 10; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Hockenheim: 16
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: 80; pole positions: 4; victories: 3; fastest laps: 4; points: 355; DTM titles: 1 (2013); best result DTM Hockenheim: 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: 148; pole positions: 11; victories: 6; fastest laps: 10; points: 446; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result DTM Hockenheim: 1 (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: 29; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 94; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Hockenheim: 3
1 Marco Wittmann (BMW) 146 points
2 Mattias Ekström (Audi) 81 points
3 Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz) 69 points
4 Edoardo Mortara (Audi) 68 points
5 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 54 points
6 Maxime Martin (BMW) 47 points
7 Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz) 46 points
8 Martin Tomczyk (BMW) 43 points
9 Bruno Spengler (BMW) 42 points
10 Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) 41 points
11 Augusto Farfus (BMW) 39 points
12 Adrien Tambay (Audi) 36 points
13 Timo Scheider (Audi) 36 points
14 Timo Glock (BMW) 33 points
15 Miguel Molina (Audi) 28 points
16 Jamie Green (Audi) 28 points
17 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz) 24 points
18 Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes-Benz) 22 points
19 Nico Müller (Audi) 10 points
20 Joey Hand (BMW) 8 points
21 António Félix da Costa (BMW) 4 points
22 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 4 points
DTM manufacturers’ standings
1 BMW 362 points
2 Audi 341 points
3 Mercedes-Benz 206 points
DTM teams’ standings
1 BMW Team RMG 193 points
2 Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline 109 points
3 Audi Sport Team Abt 104 points
4 Original-Teile Mercedes AMG 93 points
5 Audi Sport Team Phoenix 90 points
6 BMW Team Schnitzer 85 points
7 BMW Team RBM 47 points
8 gooix Mercedes AMG 46 points
9 EURONICS/FREE MAN’S WORLD Mercedes AMG 45 points
10 Audi Sport Team Rosberg 38 points
11 BMW Team MTEK 37 points
12 Petronas AMG Mercedes 22 points
Champion’s titles: 9 (in 16 years)
Victories: 66 (in 217 races)
Pole positions: 73 (in 181 qualifying sessions)
Fastest laps: 62 (in 217 races) Podium positions: 220 (in 217 races)
All Hockenheim winners since 2000 (finale)
2000 Uwe Alzen (Opel), Uwe Alzen (Opel)
2001 Bernd Mayländer (Mercedes-Benz)
2002 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2003 Jean Alesi (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2006 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2008 Timo Scheider (Audi)
2009 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2010 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz)
2011 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2012 Bruno Spengler (BMW)
2013 Timo Glock (BMW)
All Hockenheim winners since 2000 (opener)
2000 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz), Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2001 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2002 Laurent Aiello (Abt-Audi)
2003 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 Jean Alesi (Mercedes-Benz)
2006 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Mattias Ekström (Audi)
2008 Mattias Ekström (Audi)
2009 Tom Kristensen (Audi)
2010 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2011 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2012 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2013 Augusto Farfus (BMW)
2014 Marco Wittmann (BMW)
2013 flashback: team championship win for Audi Sport Team Phoenix
Following Mike Rockenfeller’s early title win, the fans saw an extremely thrilling finale that was held on a wet track and marked by duels, overtaking maneuvers and contacts. One of the protagonists was Mattias Ekström, who, after starting from grid position seven, drove an impressive race. The Swede was clearly headed for a podium finish and trailing the subsequent winner Timo Glock by just a few car lengths when he was sent spinning in the hairpin turn on the 28th of 41 laps. In fourth place, Ekström, after making a recovery, missed the podium by merely 1.245 seconds. Miguel Molina in fifth place secured Audi Sport Team Phoenix the crucial points in the battle for the teams’ classification at Hockenheim.
Track length: 4.574 km
Race distance: 42 laps = 192.108 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Mattias Ekström (Audi), Oct 25, 2008, 1m 32.244s (178.509 km/h)
DTM race record on this track: Martin Tomczyk (BMW), May 04, 2014, 1m 32.532s (177.954 km/h)
Pole position season opener 2014: Adrien Tambay (Audi), May 03, 2014, 1m 32.272s
Fastest lap season opener 2014: Martin Tomczyk (BMW), May 04, 2014, 1m 32.532s (177.954 km/h)
Spectator turnout finale 2013: 122,000
Mike Rockenfeller about Hockenheim: “The finale at Hockenheim is sheer tradition and a very special race for us as drivers. You’re either in contention for the title, in which case it’s the ultimate battle in front of full grandstands, or you’ve got nothing to do with the championship anymore, in which case you’d at least like to finish the season with a great result. As we’re driving at Hockenheim in the season opener as well as testing there, everybody is optimally prepared for and adjusted to this circuit – and, as a result, the fight on track is really close. The stadium atmosphere is unique and the entrance to the Motodrom is also the nicest section of the track for me. I’ve got many memories of Hockenheim. My fondest one is the moment when I received my trophy in 2013 as the champion being showered by gold.”
Timetable (CEST)
Friday, October 17
16.45 – 17.20 Roll-out
Saturday, October 18
09.00 – 10.00 Free practice
11.15 – 12.15 Free practice
14.45 – 15.35 Qualifying
Sunday, October 19
09.00 – 09.40 Pit stop practice
12.55 – 13.05 Demo lap Audi RS 7 piloted driving concept
14.00 Race
TV schedule (‘Das Erste’ live)
Saturday, October 18
14.30 Qualifying
Sunday, October 19
13.30 Race
Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport
