Audi aims to also win at the Norisring

The goal which Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich has set for his squad is clear. After the spell was broken most recently at the Lausitzring - where Audi was victorious for the first time since 2005 - the long awaited and overdue triumph at the Norisring is to now be turned into reality as well.

Eight times in a row Mercedes-Benz won on the city street circuit that is only 2.3 kilometers long and located between the Dutzendteich lake and the Easycredit stadium. Laurent Aiello in the Abt-Audi TT-R claimed the last victory for Audi in 2002 when he outwitted Bernd Schneider, who had been leading the race up to that point, in the last corner. The legendary V8 quattro was another car with which Audi was successful in the early 1990s in the “old” DTM. Only the Audi A4 DTM is still lacking a Norisring triumph. It will have its last chance to clinch it on July 3 as in 2012 the car will be replaced by the new A5 DTM.

The “home victory” mission is by no means an unrealistic one. In 2009 Timo Scheider despite a bout with feverish flu was leading the race on 75 of the 80 laps before Jamie Green managed to push past him. And last year Mattias Ekström was just 0.591 seconds short of taking victory.

In view of the extremely competitive field in the 2011 DTM Saturday’s qualifying will already play a role of predetermining the race. “This time it’ll probably be about thousandths of a second,” suspects Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. In other words, only those who get everything perfectly right will have a chance of making it into the final qualifying segment on the city circuit and of clinching the pole position.

For the second time after 2007 Audi driver Martin Tomczyk is traveling to Nuremberg as the leader of the standings. The driver from Rosenheim, Bavaria, who lives in Switzerland, does not necessarily consider the Norisring his favorite track but has achieved good results there before. Last year he was the quickest Audi driver in qualifying. By taking two consecutive victories at the wheel of a year-old car Tomczyk has just written a small chapter of DTM history. And in view of the fact that both of the past two races at the Norisring were also won by year-old cars, Tomczyk can be expected to manage this feat in Nuremberg as well.

But the same applies to his brand colleagues too. Every single one of them is looking forward to the season’s highlight in Nuremberg. Whether or not Mike Rockenfeller will be able to compete after his severe accident at Le Mans, will only be decided shortly before the race.

1 000 Audi mechanics keep their fingers crossed

The expected turnout of 130,000 spectators at the Norisring will include 1 000 mechanics from the Audi partner companies in the Region South who will create an impressive sight wearing their red caps in the stone stands where a special area has been reserved for them. For the third time Audi is sponsoring the activity through which the brand wishes to thank the mechanics for their top day-to-day work in the garages of the dealerships and motivate them to continue their good work. That Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline at each of the first four DTM races of the 2011 season performed the quickest pit stop perfectly symbolizes “Audi Top Service” and sets an example for the mechanics.

Due to numerous other large-scale events on the first July weekend the fifth DTM race on Sunday, July 3, will start earlier than usual, at 1 p.m. ARD will begin to air live coverage on “Das Erste” at 12:45 (local time).


Other topics of the weekend

• Has Timo Scheider managed to permanently join the group of front runners?
• How will the weight advantage of the year-old cars pan out?
• How will the three DTM rookies be doing at the city street circuit in front of a large audience?
• Will Mattias Ekström be able to end his streak of misfortune?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “The Norisring has always been tough terrain for us in recent years. Although we often came close it never worked out completely. Maybe we’ll be able to use the many good results we’ve scored as tailwind to finally clinch victory at the Norisring - the large crowd of Audi people lining the circuit would certainly be pleased to see that. And we’ll give everything to make it happen.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “Motivation in the team is very high. Audi has shown that it is absolutely in contention for victory with both vehicle generations this season. We’ll try and deliver a top performance at the Norisring. We’re fully motivated and will give everything in front of our home audience. If we manage to take our performance from the Lausitzring to Nuremberg with us we’ll have a realistic chance of fighting for victory.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “Obviously we want to again clinch a nice result at the Norisring now that we’ve got such a good flow. Nuremberg has seen a similar Mercedes dominance for years as Lausitz did until recently. Maybe now we’ll also be able to put a surprise on the track at the city race as we’ve got a weight advantage over the newer cars. We’ll do everything within our means to achieve another good result on the podium.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “The Norisring is always a special venue. It’s the German Monaco. And I believe that with the stop-and-go rhythm on this track we’ve got pretty good chances with our cars as they weigh 25 kilograms less than the new vehicles. We’re traveling to Nuremberg with a lot of momentum and another point-finish in our pocket. We want to continue like that.”


Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Filipe Albuquerque (26/P), TV Movie Audi A4 DTM #18 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Shows consistent improvement and most recently scored his first point with an eighth-place finish
• Set the third-fastest race lap at Lausitz
“This will be a difficult task because I’ve never been to the Norisring before. It’s a city street circuit with very aggressive tarmac and many bumps. Good knowledge of the track is very important there. The circuit has only three turns and the time gaps are extremely small. But my weekends in the DTM are getting increasingly better and more thrilling.”

Mattias Ekström (32/S), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• As the runner-up clinched his so far best Norisring result last year
• At Lausitz qualified for position three as the best Audi driver
“It’s always nice to go to the Norisring. It’s Audi’s home round. It would be great to drive another race there again that’s as good as last year’s was. Maybe it’ll even be a little bit better. In the team we’re giving everything for a good showing.”

Rahel Frey (25/CH), Glamour Audi A4 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• By finishing in 15th place at Lausitz equalized her so far best DTM performance
• Has seen the checkered flag at all DTM races
“I’ve never driven at the Norisring before. But I’m looking forward to this city street circuit with huge anticipation. I like street circuits. I know Pau and have always done well there. I’m really excited about this race. It’s time to set a highlight.”

Oliver Jarvis (27/GB), Audi Sport performance cars A4 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• In fourth place was the second-best Audi driver at the Norisring last year
• Has scored ten points in the current season
“At the Norisring I scored my best result of the season last year. It’s always great to compete there. The atmosphere is simply fantastic. My season is progressively improving. I want to clinch a good result there at all costs.”

Miguel Molina (22/E), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Abt Junior)
• Was running in sixth place at Lausitz when he retired
• Contested the Nürburgring 24 Hours between Lausitz and the Norisring
“This is a nice circuit and it’s closely linked to the DTM legend. I want to give everything to be better there than I was last year when I had a weekend to forget. We should be able to easily do that. I’m already looking forward to the weekend.”

Edoardo Mortara (24/I/F), Playboy Audi A4 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Took the pole position last year in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the Norisring plus a victory
• With three points in the DTM standings remains the best rookie of the year
“Of course I know the Norisring well. I contested Formula 3 there for several years. I’ve won there before and was most of the time in the group of front runners. City circuits suit me well. And now we’ve got the advantage of our car weighing 25 kilos less than the new cars. Everyone says that that’s a big benefit. Hopefully that’s true. Nevertheless, you’ve got to give everything. As on any weekend I’ll deliver maximum performance.”

Timo Scheider (32/D), AUTO TEST Audi A4 DTM #4 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• Most recently clinched his best result of the season as the runner-up at Lausitz
• Was on the podium at the Norisring three years ago and on pole two years ago
“We’ve got some unfinished business at the Norisring. Two years ago I was leading the race almost up to the end. I’ve got fond memories of our performances there. In 2009 we were already on pole but an Audi victory has been missing in our track record for a few years. We need and want to change this. I’m hoping that with the tailwind from Lausitz we’ll finally be able to win. It would be nice to be on the top of the podium at the season’s midpoint. After a difficult start into the season I’ve managed to join the group of front runners. I’m hoping for things to continue this way.”

Martin Tomczyk (29/D), Schaeffler Audi A4 DTM #14 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• After two consecutive victories will arrive at Nuremberg as the new leader of the standings
• Started from position four as the best Audi driver at the Norisring last year
“Many people are asking me whether we’ll be able to continue our form. That’s hard to say because the Norisring has been a tough track for us in the past nine years. Jamie (Green) has won there before in a year-old car. I’m hoping for us to be able to do that too. It wouldn’t be bad if a year-old Audi car won there for a change.”

The Audi drivers in the 2011 DTM

Filipe Albuquerque (P): * Jun 13, 1985 in Coimbra (P); residence: Coimbra (P) single; height: 1.74 m; weight: 64 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 8th place); fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -

Mattias Ekström (S): * Jul 14, 1978 in Falun (S); residence: Salenstein (CH); single; height: 1.83 m; weight: 77 kg; Audi driver since 1999; DTM races: 108 pole positions: 16; victories: 14; fastest laps: 11; points: 491; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result,DTM Norisring: 1

Rahel Frey (CH): * Feb 23, 1986 in Niederbipp (CH); residence: Aedermannsdorf (CH); single; height: 1.63 m; weight: 50 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 15th place) fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -

Oliver Jarvis (GB): * Jan 09, 1984 in Burwell (GB); residence: Ermatingen (CH); single; height: 1.80 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2008; DTM races: 36; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 51; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 4

Miguel Molina (E): * Feb 17, 1989 in Girona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 62 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 15; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 15; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -

Edoardo Mortara (I/F): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH); single; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races:4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 6th place); fastest laps: 0; points: 3; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -

Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 45; pole positions: 0; victories: 1 (best result: 1st place); fastest laps: 2; points: 57; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 4

Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 11, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single, (partner Jessica), one son (Loris); height: 1.78 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2006; DTM races: 113; pole positions: 9; victories: 6; fastest laps: 7; points: 338; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result, DTM Norisring: 3

Martin Tomczyk (D): * Dec 07, 1981 in Rosenheim (D); residence: Aesch/Basel (CH); single (partner Christina); height: 1.88 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2001; DTM races: 107; pole positions: 8; victories: 6; fastest laps: 5; points: 279; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 5

2011 DTM point standings

1 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) 30 points
2 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz) 29 points
3 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) 19 points
4 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) 14 points
5 Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz) 14 points
6 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz) 13 points
7 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) 10 points
8 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) 9 points
9 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 9 points
10 Edoardo Mortara (Audi A4 DTM) 3 points
11 Maro Engel (Mercedes-Benz) 3 points
12 Tom Kristensen (Audi A4 DTM) 2 points
13 Filipe Albuquerque (Audi A4 DTM) 1 point

2011 DTM season interim statistics

Victories: Mercedes-Benz 1; Audi 3
Pole positions: Mercedes-Benz 3; Audi 1
Fastest laps: Mercedes-Benz 2; Audi 2
Leading laps: Mercedes-Benz 77; Audi 92

Audi DTM statistics

Pole positions: 59
Victories: 57
Fastest laps: 49
Champion’s titles: 7 (1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)

All Norisring winners since 2000

2000 Joachim Winkelhock (Opel), Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2001 Uwe Alzen (Mercedes-Benz)
2002 Laurent Aiello (Abt-Audi)
2003 Christijan Albers (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2006 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2008 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2009 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2010 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)

Track info

Track length: 2.300 km
Race distance: 82 laps = 188.600 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), 47.785s = 173.276 km/h (June 28, 2008)
DTM race record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), 48.446 s = 170.912 km/h (June 29, 2008)
Pole position 2010: Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz), 48.721 s = 169.947 km/h (July 03, 2010)
Fastest lap 2010: Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz), 48.616 s = 170.314 km/h (July 04, 2010)
Turnout 2010: 132,000
TV live rating 2010: 1.88 millionen/14.5 % market sharel (source: ARD)

Edoardo Mortara about the Norisring: “The atmosphere at this historic site is simply unique at a motorsport event like the DTM. Since the fans can also sit on the inside we are practically driving around them - that’s a very unusual but nice feeling. The tarmac is very special. Normal streets and parking areas make for big differences in grip and it’s pretty bumpy. For overtaking it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar. Out of the slipstream it’s possible to attack in front of turn 1 - and then again in front of the last turn. I’ve got very fond memories of the track. In 2007, my Formula 3 debut year, I was on position three and last year I won the race on Saturday.”

2010 flashback

Audi showed a strong performance at its “home race.” In front of 132,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) Mattias Ekström pushed forward from position five on the grid to second place and in the end missed victory by just 0.591 seconds. With five Audi A4 DTM cars in the points Audi achieved its best Norisring showing since 2005. By finishing as the runner-up Mattias Ekström made up two points to the leader of the standings, Bruno Spengler.

2010 results
1 Jamie Green (Mercedes) 82 laps in 1h 08m 05,282s
2 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) + 0,591s
3 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes) + 1.910 s
4 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) + 9.946s
5 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) + 12.315s
...
7 Alexandre Prémat (Audi A4 DTM) + 15.834s
8 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) + 16.100s
12 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) + 34.790s
16 Katherine Legge (Audi A4 DTM) - 1 lap

Timetable

Friday, July 1
09:00-09:30 Roll-out
09:30-09:35 Starting practice
13:00-14:30 Free practice 1
14:30-14:35 Starting practice

Saturday, July 2
08:15-09:45 Free practice
12:10-13:20 Qualifying

Sunday, July 3
09:25-09:55 Warm-up
13:00 Race

TV Schedule (ARD live)

Saturday, July 2
12:05-13:30 Qualifying

Sunday, July 3
12:45-14:25 Race