Audi in the 2018 DTM: From hunter to hunted

“Our aim is to win titles. Our exceptional success last season doesn’t change this,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “That’s why in 2018 we’d like to clinch as many titles as possible again – among them, obviously, the drivers’ title which has the highest prestige in the DTM.”

The cards have been reshuffled. Last season, it was the Audi RS 5 DTM that had to be beaten. For the new DTM season, aerodynamics has been specified for all DTM cars and downforce reduced by some 25 percent. With respect to the suspension, there are generally fewer adjustment options as well so that Audi has to change its previous philosophy. At the same time, the abolishment of the controversial performance weights remains in effect. They sparked permanent discussions last season and fans heavily criticized them.

Due to the most recent actions, the field in the DTM is supposed to move together even closer. As it is hardly possible any longer for manufacturers to develop a technological advantage, the drivers, the trackside setup of the race cars and the conditions will play an even more crucial role now. Due to the reduced downforce, optimum use of the tires is becoming more important as well.

Audi is the only manufacturer to continue relying on three fielding teams. The proven Audi Sport teams, Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg, are each fielding two Audi RS 5 DTM cars in the 2018 season. The tasks have remained the same: Audi develops the race cars and the teams are responsible for fielding them, and for maintenance between the DTM events.

For the “title defense” project, Audi Sport has slightly changed the driver squad. Reigning champion René Rast (Germany) and Jamie Green (Great Britain) continue to race for Audi Sport Team Rosberg. Mike Rockenfeller (Germany), the 2013 DTM Champion, and Loïc Duval (France) are forming Audi Sport Team Phoenix like last year. Only Nico Müller (Switzerland) in Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline has a new teammate. Mattias Ekström’s decision to fully concentrate on the FIA World Rallycross Championship after 17 DTM years with Audi makes it possible for Robin Frijns (the Netherlands) to be promoted to an Audi factory driver.

“When you clinch all three DTM titles plus the top four positions in the drivers’ classification, there’s no reason to make major changes,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “That’s why Robin Frijns is our only rookie. He’s taking Mattias Ekström’s cockpit at ABT. The two other driver pairings at Phoenix and Rosberg remain unchanged. I’m convinced that this way we’re perfectly positioned for the title defense in the DTM.”

In keeping with tradition, the 2018 DTM begins and ends at the Hockenheimring. The DTM race calendar now features ten instead of the previous nine events. All races are held in Europe. Five events take place in Germany. Austria, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are other DTM venues. New on the calendar are the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch (United Kingdom) and the first night races in DTM history at Misano on Italy’s Adriatic Coast. The proven double-header format with one race each on Saturday and Sunday has been retained. The starting times for the 2018 season have been largely standardized, with most races beginning at 1.30 pm.

The new TV partner in the German-speaking region is SAT.1. Airtime is clearly longer than before. The renowned sports rights agency IMG has assumed responsibility for global TV marketing of the series.