Audi in the DTM 2020: “Vorsprung” through efficiency technology

The motorsport program of AUDI AG is based on three pillars in 2020: DTM, Formula E and customer racing. DTM’s spectacular Class 1 racing cars feature highly efficient four-cylinder turbo engines with a displacement of two liters. This type of drive is used by Audi in many production models with various performance levels worldwide and is a pillar for increasing efficiency and reducing fleet emissions. Audi has impressively demonstrated the superiority of this technology in the 2019 season by winning the titles in all categories. The brand’s first three-year involvement in the DTM began in 1990, at the end of 2020 Audi will retire from the DTM after a total of 20 spectacular years crowned by many successes.

“We want to leave the DTM with a valuable sporting result and again prove our technological competence,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “That’s why we’re giving everything once again this season to defend our titles.”

In the first year of the new Class 1 racing cars, Audi impressively underpinned its leading position in the field of highly efficient turbocharged engines with successes on the race track. Audi prematurely secured all three titles in the Drivers’, Manufacturers’ and Teams’ Championships in 2019. The brand thus clinched the DTM triple for the third time in the DTM after 2004 and 2017. Audi won the Manufacturers’ Championship by 582 points – the biggest lead in the history of the DTM. Audi was the first manufacturer ever to collect more than 1,000 points in a DTM season. In 2019, Audi scored the maximum possible points in the Manufacturers’ Championship in three races. With twelve wins, twelve pole positions, twelve fastest laps, 40 of 54 possible podium positions and all three championship titles, the brand achieved its most successful DTM season overall.

The four-cylinder turbo of the Audi RS 5 DTM is the most efficient and powerful engine in the company’s DTM history. The Audi engineers extracted over 610 hp from the engine, which is only two liters in size, in its first year of racing. For 2020, there are partly new specifications: For example, the fuel flow rate has been reduced from 95 to 90 kilograms per hour. This will reduce engine output by around five percent. Nevertheless, the races are to become even more spectacular for the fans in 2020. By pushing a button (“Push-to-Pass”) the drivers can now call up around 60 additional horsepower. By doubling the additional power, the DTM organizers hope to achieve even more overtaking. “Push-to-Pass” and the DRS adjustable wing may be used in qualifying for the first time.

Further detailed changes to the regulations are intended to ensure that the DTM 2020 offers even more action and excitement and to further increase TV ratings. “In its first year with the Class 1 racing cars, DTM has increased in these areas against the general trend,” says Dieter Gass. “The new turbo engines have been well received by drivers and fans alike. In addition, there were strong new events, which – also thanks to the good work of the local promoters – took place right away in front of large spectator crowds.” However, the corona pandemic will force a highly restricted calendar in the 2020 season: at nine events in three European countries, the teams will contest a total of 18 individual races in the second half of the year.

For the DTM, Audi continues to rely on the RS 5 DTM, which has been optimized in details compared to last year. Major modifications are prohibited by the regulations, which are designed for a level playing field and cost efficiency. The six factory Audi RS 5 DTM cars are entered by the proven Audi Sport Teams Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg. The same drivers will be in the cockpits as in the past two years: Loïc Duval (F), Robin Frijns (NL), Jamie Green (GB), Nico Müller (CH), René Rast (D) and Mike Rockenfeller (D).

The Belgian outfit WRT Team Audi Sport will field three instead of two Audi RS 5 DTM cars in the 2020 DTM season under its own direction. With the Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg, the Briton Harrison Newey and the Swiss Fabio Scherer, WRT gives three young drivers a chance in the DTM.

As last year, two of the leading German premium brands, Audi and BMW, are fighting for the prestigious DTM championship title. The DTM wants to offer spectacular racing at the highest level where the drivers make the difference – see René Rast: In his first three DTM years with Audi, the reigning DTM Champion has clinched two championship titles, one runner-up and 17 victories and is currently the driver to beat in the DTM.