In 2011, his first DTM season, Edoardo Mortara was “rookie of the year.” Since then, he has finished in the top five of the overall standings an amazing three times. After having had chances of clinching the title for a long time last season, the Italian is one of the candidates for the title again in 2016.

However, in view of the extreme competitiveness in the DTM, “Edo” is reluctant to be nailed down on a prediction. “My goal is the same every time: to have a good year – especially following a strong season like last year’s.” In 2015, Mortara even led the standings some of the time, only a muffed penultimate race weekend deprived him of the chance to clinch the title.

In his green-blue Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM, he is again competing for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline. However, within the squad, Mortara switched to another side of the pits. In 2016, he is the new teammate of Mattias Ekström, the most successful Audi DTM driver of all time. “I can only profit from his experience,” Edo is convinced. “I get along well with Mattias and will no doubt learn some more things from him.”

Having to get used to a new race engineer for the third consecutive year in the DTM now is not a disadvantage in Mortara’s opinion. “I’ve known my new engineer, Nicola Palarchi, from last season. Obviously, there’ll be a learning curve for us in the beginning. But that’s not a problem.”

In the DTM, Mortara now drives car number “48.” “This number dates back to my days in karting and brought me good luck back then,” recalls Mortara, who is listed as an Italian entrant. Actually, there are other national colors that could be emblazoned on his Audi RS 5 DTM as well. Mortara was born in Geneva, Switzerland – as the son of a French mother and an Italian father. His father now lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. As Mortara spends a lot of time there as well, he frequently handles commitments for the local Audi importer.

Two years ago, the DTM star married his Spanish fiancée, Montserrat Retamal. Together with friends, Mortara runs a Japanese sushi restaurant in Geneva, his main place of residence. The Italian is particularly popular in Macau, China, as well, where he won the prestigious Formula 3 Grand Prix twice in succession and celebrated three other victories in the Audi R8 LMS. In the GT3 sports car, Mortara would like to be on the grid again in Macau this year.

However, his top priority in 2016 is again the DTM for which he has optimally prepared and whose new format he likes. “The decision to hold two races per weekend was definitely positive,” says the Audi driver. “I like the new format – and for the spectators the show has become more attractive as well.”

One of Mortara’s favorite tracks is the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg – and not only because that is where he celebrated two victories in the DTM. “Spielberg is one of the most beautiful facilities, set in fantastic natural scenery,” he says. “Plus, in addition to my successes, I had a number of great experiences there. For instance, I had the opportunity to fly as a passenger in a Red Bull aerobatics helicopter.”

Mortara has always had an interest in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft – and, obviously, in fast cars as well. Privately, like many of his driver colleagues, he drives an Audi RS 6 Avant. “As an Audi driver, I enjoy the privilege of being able to test all the models. The RS 6 is a really special one in the line-up, even though I can’t drive it flat-out in Switzerland.” That his job frequently takes him to Germany’s autobahns may offer some solace ...

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Edoardo Mortara (I)

Date of birth: January 12, 1987
Place of birth: Geneva (CH)
Residence: Geneva (CH)
Marital status: married to Montserrat Retamal, one daughter (Sofia)
Height/weight: 1.82 m/78 kg
Motorsport since: 1999 (Audi driver since 2011)

Sporting career
1999–2005 Kart
1999 3rd 100 cc class Italian Junior Kart Championship
2000 2nd 100 cc class Italian Junior Kart Championship, 2nd Kart Masters Paris-Bercy, 5th European Kart Championship
2001 2nd 100 cc class Italian Junior Kart Championship, 5th Monaco Kart Cup
2002 3rd 100 cc class Italian Kart ICA Championship, 7th European Kart Championship
2003 7th 100 cc class Italian Kart Formula A Championship
2004 7th 100 cc class Italian Kart Formula A Championship
2005 2nd 100 cc class Italian Kart Formula A Championship, 1st Trofeo Margutti, 9th European Kart Championship
2006 4th Formula Renault Italy, best rookie
2007 8th Formula 3 Euro Series, best rookie; 10th Formula 3 Macau
2008 2nd Formula 3 Euro Series, 2nd Formula 3 Macau
2009 1st Formula 3 Macau, 14th GP2, 11th GP2 Asia
2010 1st Formula 3 Euro Series, 1st Formula 3 Macau
2011 9th DTM (Audi A4 DTM), “Rookie of the year,” 1st Macau GT Cup (Audi R8 LMS)
2012 5th DTM (Audi A5 DTM), 2 victories, 1st Macau GT Cup (Audi R8 LMS ultra)
2013 21st DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM), 1st GT class Daytona 24 Hours (Audi R8 GRAND-AM), 1st Macau GT Cup (Audi R8 LMS)
2014 5th DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM)
2015 4th DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM), 1 victory
2016 5th DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM), 5 victories

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