When referring to Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, a charming abbreviation is often used at Audi Sport: ‘Die Äbte’ (‘abbots’ – ‘Abt’ means ‘abbot’ in German).

The world’s leading tuner for automobiles of the Volkswagen Group is a family-owned business based in the Bavarian region of the Allgäu that is run by Hans-Jürgen Abt today. Besides Audi Sport Team Joest in the sports prototype program, it is the most experienced and most successful Audi factory team.

The outfit based in the Allgäu competed in the DTM as a privateer team with the Abt-Audi TT-R from 2000 to 2003 and in 2002 clinched the title. Today, more than 50 employees are dedicated to the four Audi RS 5 DTM cars. To perfectly prepare the race cars, Abt opened a 2,400-square meter motorsport center in Kempten last year which Audi uses to prepare the race cars of the new Audi Sport TT Cup as well.

In addition, the ‘Abbots’ provide the only German team in the new FIA Formula E Championship which Audi Sport supports by releasing factory driver Lucas di Grassi. The Brazilian won the inaugural race of the electric racing series in Beijing in September 2014 – marking another milestone in the history of ABT Sportsline.

Major successes of ABT Sportsline

Winner of the DTM drivers’ classification: 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 (all Audi)

Winner of the DTM teams’ classification: 2004, 2007, 2011 (all Audi)

German Super Touring Car Champion: 1999 (Audi)

Winner of the ADAC GT Masters: 2009 drivers’ classification, 2010 teams’ classification (both Audi)

Winner of ADAC Formel Masters: 2009

Winner of ADAC Formula Junior: 1991, 1992, 1996