Robin Frijns (Aral Ultimate Audi RS 5 DTM #4): The newcomer

“I’ve been dreaming of the DTM for a long time,” says Frijns. “The series has a long tradition and stands for gripping racing – exactly the thing I like. When I heard that I would belong to Audi’s DTM squad effective immediately I was both overjoyed and speechless.”

Frijns has been active for Audi in customer racing since 2015 and comes from single-seater racing. He gathered initial experience at the wheel of an Audi DTM race car in an evaluation of young talent in Spain in 2013. “Robin left a strong impression at that time and we’ve been keeping track of him ever since,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “At the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS, he showed his ability and in our Formula E simulator he does a very good job as well. René Rast proved last year that in the DTM you can be in contention for the title even as a rookie. Robin has great potential.”

After René Rast as a rookie instantly won the DTM title in 2017, every newcomer is compared with the reigning champion. “René impressively proved that in the DTM you can become champion even in your first year,” says Frijns. “But I remain completely realistic in that respect. After all, I’m pitted against drivers who’ve been active for years – if not decades – in the DTM. My main goal is to get used to the environment and to the car as soon as possible. Plus, I’d like to have fun because that’s the prerequisite for being fast in the races. If in the end that results in podium positions or even victories so much the better.”

The Dutchman who hails from Maastricht began his career in karting, and in single-seater racing made it all the way into Fromula 1 as a test and reserve driver. “I had three very successful years in single-seater racing in which I was able to stand my ground against notable names and win the championship on each occasion,” relates Frijns. “As a Formula 1 test driver in the following years I had only few opportunities to contest races myself. In that respect, it was a great opportunity for me to be able to get into GT racing with Audi and to finally race again. Today, I’m more than happy that I took advantage of this opportunity at the time. Together, we’ve celebrated many successes.”

In his first years with Audi, Frijns in 2015 won the Blancpain GT Series in the Audi R8 LMS and the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup in 2017 – both with Belgian Audi Club Team WRT. For this team, Frijns, in parallel to his DTM program, is active in 2018 as well and already tiumphed in the Bathurst 12 Hour (Australia).

In addition, Frijns competed for Michael Andretti’s team in the Formula E electric racing series for two years. Due to BMW’s entry, the Dutchman lost his cockpit. For Frijns, Audi clearly took priority. Now Frijns occasionally sits in the Formula E simulator at Audi Sport in Neuburg in order to stay fit in the pioneering electric racing series.

This year, though, the DTM where he competes in car number 4 is clearly Frijns’ priority. “This number accompanied me during my successful years in single-seater racing and brought me a lot of luck. I hope it will continue to do so.”

The race Frijns particularly looks forward to is the one on home soil at Zandvoort. “Last season, I watched Sunday’s race at the venue and was impressed,” says the 26-year-old. “There was a large turnout of spectators and I hope to see all the fans again this year. As the only Dutchman in the DTM field I’m obviously looking forward to the event and to the support from my compatriots with huge anticipation.”

As a new Audi factory driver, he enjoys the privilege of being able to select a company car from the model range of the four rings. “I opted for an Audi RS 6 Avant,” says Frijns. “I’ve heard a lot of positive things about this car.”

Frijns in Dutch is pronounced “Fraijns,” with a drawn-out “ai.” In English, most people say “Frins” with a short “i.” “For me, personally, the diverse pronunciations make no difference. As long as I can tell that it’s me people are addressing, either version is completely okay for me.”

Profile

Robin Frijns (NL)

Date of birth: August 7, 1991
Place of birth: Maastricht (NL)
Residence: Maastricht (NL)
Marital status: single

Height/weight: 1.71 m/63.5 kg
Motorsport since: 1999 (Audi driver since 2015)

Sporting career
1999–2008 Kart, Belgian Cadet Champion 2004, French Junior Champion 2006
2009 3rd Formula BMW Europe, Rookie of the Year
2010 1st Formula BMW Europe, 14th Formula Renault Northern Europe
2011 1st Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup
2012 1st Formula Renault 3.5, Young Driver Test Formula 1 (Red Bull)
2013 Formula 1 test driver (Sauber), 15th GP2 Series
2014 Formula 1 test driver (Caterham)
2015 1st Blancpain GT Series (Audi R8 LMS), 2nd Blancpain Sprint Series (Audi R8 LMS), 6th Blancpain Endurance Series Pro Cup (Audi R8 LMS)
2016 12th Formula E, 7th Intercontinental GT Challenge (Audi R8 LMS), 10th Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup (Audi R8 LMS)
2017 13th Formula E, 1st Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup (Audi R8 LMS), 4th Blancpain GT Series (Audi R8 LMS)
2018 13th DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM), 1st Bathurst 12 Hours (Audi R8 LMS)

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