• DTM enters crucial phase at Oschersleben
  • Timo Scheider aims for third consecutive Oschersleben victory
  • Miguel Molina shows strong trend
DTM 2010

At the eighth DTM round to be held at the Motorsportarena Oschersleben on September 19 (starting at 1:45 p.m. – local time – live on “Das Erste”) Audi is determined to do everything within its means to prevent an early decision in the fight for the title. Timo Scheider, who last clinched two consecutive wins at Oschersleben, has good chances of achieving this goal.

The race at the venue situated in the plains near Magdeburg will be an exciting one: after what has been an unusual DTM season the title fight appears to be coming to a head as early as four rounds before the finale. With third-place finishes in both of the most recent races at Zandvoort and Brands Hatch and the fastest time in qualifying in the Netherlands Timo Scheider, the 2008 and 2009 champion, has clinched his best results of the season so far.

Now the 31-year-old German is returning to the venue of some major exploits: at Oschersleben, in the 2008 season, Scheider celebrated his first ever victory in a DTM race. And 2009 again saw him finish as the winner.

“It’s high time to get back on a winning track,” says the Audi racer, obviously ready to attack. “My form curve has been pointing upward lately. And I’ve always felt comfortable at Oschersleben. I like the characteristics of this circuit.”

With 29 points to his credit, Scheider is one of seven drivers who still have mathematical title chances four races before the season ends – and he is just one of three drivers in the field to have scored points in all of the previous seven rounds of the season. If Scheider clinched his third consecutive win at Oschersleben, he could, in the best case, reduce his gap in the standings to 13 points. “And if that happened, then the decision would suddenly be completely open again,” knows Scheider.

But Scheider is not the only Audi driver in the contest for the title who could turn the tables once more. Mattias Ekström, his team colleague in Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, who finished last year’s round at Oschersleben as the runner-up, is traveling to the venue full of energy as well.

“Mattias is ranking just one point behind Timo,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We all know that his score could be a lot better. Twice this season he’s been deprived of finishing in the points due to accidents in which he was not at fault. Most recently, at Brands Hatch, he was knocked out of the race by a rival right in turn one. That’s particularly painful.”

Everyone in the Audi camp is aware that Oschersleben will offer the last chance for the brand with the four rings to achieve a turn-around in what has been an unfortunate 2010 DTM season so far. Four times in the past six years since its return to the DTM with a manufacturer’s commitment Audi has won the round at Oschersleben. The statistics of the current season, as well, show that the Audi A4 DTM basically possesses the requisite performance capability: in the contest of pole positions, the score between Mercedes-Benz and Audi is at 4:3, with respect to the fastest laps it is at 3:4.

Strong trend by Miguel Molina

Miguel Molina most recently made a remarkable contribution to this tally. The newcomer who runs for Audi Sport Rookie Team Abt looks back on two excellent weekends: the two circuits, Zandvoort and Brands Hatch, which are regarded as tracks that particularly test the drivers’ skills, were new territory to the Catalonian who is merely 21. By finishing fifth in the Netherlands and fourth in the United Kingdom he not only delivered his personal best performances of the season. At Brands Hatch, he even managed to set a new track record. Now, at Oschersleben, the young talent will compete on a circuit he is familiar with from his previous career.

Topics of the weekend

- Will Timo Scheider be able to shine at Oschersleben again, as he did in the two past years?
- Will Miguel Molina retain his top form?
- Will Audi Sport Team Phoenix, after good performances in the previous races, be able to fight for points with both cars?
- Will Audi’s used cars again be clearly outperforming the Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the corresponding specifications?
- Will Oliver Jarvis, after consistently showing good qualifying performances, be able to clinch an adequate race result at Oschersleben for the first time?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): ”The track characteristics at Oschersleben require a lot of downforce and the circuit does not have a really long straight. At Brands Hatch we managed a decent team result and improved our performance. Our aim is to continue to work like this. We want to use Oschersleben to perhaps turn the championship around after all. With a victory there we’d have every reason to look ahead positively.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “We should set our sights on what’s ahead. We know that it’s very difficult in the championship. But our mission should be to look at the individual events in a positive light. We’ve got to try and improve in qualifying some more in order to show the performance in the race and to be able to stay at the front. That’s possible. The important thing is that we don’t lose motivation. I will personally fight for us to get within the reach of exploits together because we have a common goal: to be at the very front.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “Oschersleben has traditionally been an Audi track. It suits the car well, both the old and the new car. We need to begin with the best set-up for the start and then be quick from the outset. Our aim must be to get our drivers on a good mental track. And then we’ll take off with momentum.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “I’ve got fond memories of Oschersleben because that’s where we clinched our first podium result three years ago with ‘Rocky.’ The circuit is relatively angular and should actually suit us well. We’re still chasing after our first points of the season. I’m hoping it’ll finally work out at Oschersleben.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Mattias Ekström (32/S), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
- Contested a NASCAR event during the week before the race
- Oschersleben is the only permanent race track on the current DTM calendar at which the Swede has not yet won a DTM race
- Drove his 100th DTM race at Brands Hatch
“I want to forget the weekend at Brands Hatch as quickly as possible. At Oschersleben, I finished as the runner-up last year. It’s the only permanent race track in the DTM on which I’ve never won before. And it’s the track on which we can postpone the title decision this year once more. That’s got to be our aim.”

Oliver Jarvis (26/GB), Tabac Original Audi A4 DTM #2 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
- Achieved grid positions four in 2008 and five in 2009 in the year-old car
- Has so far been deprived of finishing in the points at Oschersleben
“Unfortunately a puncture deprived me of a good result at Oschersleben last year. But our pace has basically always been good there. After a somewhat disappointing race at Brands Hatch I’m looking forward to Oschersleben. The track is great and very aggressive for the cars. I’m really excited about the race.”

Katherine Legge (30/GB), Glamour Audi A4 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
- Has competed at Oschersleben twice before
- Most recently won the qualifying duel against Susie Stoddart two consecutive times
“I can hardly wait for the race at Oschersleben. We’ve got to try out a few things on the car. Unfortunately, our work on the set-up has been slightly off the mark lately. We’ve got to tackle the next race weekend with fresh ideas.”

Miguel Molina (21/E), Audi Bank A4 DTM #18 (Audi Sport Rookie Team Abt)
- Knows Oschersleben from his previous career
- Posted the fastest race lap in the most recent race
- With a fourth-place finish achieved his best result of the season
“I know the track from Formula racing. I contested an event there five years ago but I think the layout has changed a little. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to run at the same level as in the past two races. I’d definitely like to continue this way.”

Alexandre Prémat (28/F), TV Movie Audi A4 DTM #9 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
- Ninth place has been his best result at Oschersleben so far
- Is currently the third-best driver of a 2008-specification Audi in the standings
“I really like this circuit. It’ll be difficult to score points there in the middle of the newer cars. But that’s exactly my goal because I do want to advance some more in the standings.”

Mike Rockenfeller (26/D), S line Audi A4 DTM #10 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
- With grid position two in 2007 has achieved his best qualifying result so far at Oschersleben
- Drove his best DTM race there the same year as well with a third-place finish
- Will contest the Petit Le Mans race two weeks after Oschersleben
“I’m looking forward to Oschersleben because that’s where I’ve achieved my biggest exploit in the DTM so far. Some time has passed since then but I’ve always been quick on this track. I’m hoping to score some points there again this year and, if possible, even a really good result. I think we need to fully concentrate on qualifying because our race pace has always been good this year, particularly in the past two events at Zandvoort and Brands Hatch. Unfortunately, we never got any points for that. The reason is that we didn’t start at the front. We’ve got to work on this. We haven’t been good in qualifying lately.”

Timo Scheider (31/D), GW:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM #1 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
- Clinched Audi’s 50th victory in the DTM at Oschersleben last year
- Dominated the 2008 round with pole position, victory and fastest lap
- With a score of 29 points in fourth place is the best Audi driver in the standings
“I’ve got very fond memories of Oschersleben because I won there in the past two years. Oschersleben has always considerably contributed to my driving style as well as to my sense of comfort in the car. I clinched my first DTM victory there as well. It would be perfect timing if we managed to turn the tables in our performance contest with Mercedes and achieved a victory. For me, too, this would be a nice trend to mount the top of the podium after the races at Zandvoort and Brands Hatch for a change. Whether that’ll work out is a different question. But I’m arriving with a very positive feeling.”

Martin Tomczyk (28/D), Red Bull Cola Audi A4 DTM #6 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
- Started from the front row at Oschersleben in 2004 and 2005
- Has been on the podium at Oschersleben as many as three times, including in 2008 and 2009
- Will contest his 100th DTM race at Oschersleben.
“Although Oschersleben is not one of my favorite tracks I’ve always been pretty quick there. That’s why I’m traveling to the eighth round of the season with confidence. And I’m happy that races are taking place in such quick succession.”

Markus Winkelhock (30/D), Playboy/GW:plus Audi A4 DTM #14 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
- Sixth place two years ago was his best DTM result at Oschersleben
- Has not seen the checkered flag four times in a row this year
“Just two weeks after Brands Hatch Oschersleben is on the agenda and I’m looking forward to it. I’m traveling there with a good feeling because I believe that my run of misfortune has simply got to come to an end. I’m assuming that the trend will point upward. Oschersleben suits me well. I clinched my first pole position there in 2001, in Formula 3, and finished on the podium too. In 2008 I scored my first DTM points there.”

The Audi drivers in the 2010 DTM

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: 100; pole positions: 16; victories: 14; fastest laps: 10; points: 475; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result, DTM Oschersleben: 2

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: 28; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 34; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Oschersleben: 15

Katherine Legge (GB): * Jul 12, 1980 in Guildford (GB); residence: Ermatingen (CH); single; height: 1.73 m; weight: 58 kg; Audi driver since 2008; DTM races: 27; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 12th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Oschersleben: 17

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: 7; pole positions: 0; victories: 0; (best result: 5th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 11; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Oschersleben: -

Alexandre Prémat (F): * Apr 05, 1982 in Juvisy-sur-Orge (F); residence: Ermatingen (CH); married to Cléo, one daughter (Zoe); height: 1.82 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 37; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 38; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Oschersleben: 9

Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH); single (partner Susanne); height: 1.75 m; weight: 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 38; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 3rd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 33; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Oschersleben: 3

Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 11, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single, one son (Loris); height: 1.78 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2006; DTM races: 105; pole positions: 8; victories: 5; fastest laps: 5; points: 295; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result, DTM Oschersleben: 1

Martin Tomczyk (D): * Dec 07, 1981 in Rosenheim (D); residence: Aesch/Basel (CH); single (engaged to Christina); height: 1.88 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2001; DTM races: 99; pole positions: 7; victories: 4; fastest laps: 5; points: 236; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Oschersleben: 2

Markus Winkelhock (D): * Jun 13, 1980 in Stuttgart (D); residence: Berglen-Steinach (D); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 65 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 45; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 0; DTM titles: 0; points: 17; best result, DTM Oschersleben: 6

2010 DTM point standings

1 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes) 52 points
2 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes) 43 points
3 Gary Paffett (Mercedes) 39 points
4 Timo Scheider (Audi) 29 points
5 Mattias Ekström (Audi) 28 points
6 Jamie Green (Mercedes) 26 points
7 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 12 points
8 Miguel Molina (Audi) 11 points
9 Oliver Jarvis (Audi) 11 points
10 Alexandre Prémat (Audi) 9 points
11 Martin Tomczyk (Audi) 7 points
12 Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes) 3 points
13 Susie Stoddart (Mercedes) 2 points
14 Maro Engel (Mercedes) 1 point

2010 DTM season interim statistics

Victories: Mercedes 6; Audi 1
Pole positions: Mercedes 4; Audi 3
Fastest laps: Mercedes 3; Audi 4
Leading laps: Mercedes 328; Audi 71
Points: Mercedes 166; Audi 107

Audi DTM statistics

Pole positions: 57
Victories: 53
Fastest laps: 43
Champion’s titles: 7 (1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)

All winners of DTM races at Oschersleben

2000 Manuel Reuter (Opel), Manuel Reuter (Opel)
2000 Uwe Alzen (Opel), Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2001 Marcel Fässler (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Tom Kristensen (Audi)
2005 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2006 Tom Kristensen (Audi)
2007 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2008 Timo Scheider (Audi)
2009 Timo Scheider (Audi)

Track info

Track length: 3.696 km
Race distance: 50 laps = 184.800 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Timo Scheider (Audi), 1m 21.146s = 163.971 km/h (April 19, 2008)
DTM race record on this track: Timo Scheider (Audi), 1m 23.236s = 159.854 km/h (April 20, 2008)
Pole position in 2009: Tom Kristensen (Audi), 1m 21.352s = 163.556 km/h (August 01, 2009)
Fastest lap in 2009: Timo Scheider (Audi), 1m 23.677s = 159.011 km/h (August 02, 2009)
Spectators in 2009: 64,000
TV live viewers, ARD 2009: 1.4 million (source: ARD)

Timo Scheider about Oschersleben: “After winning here twice in a row, I have a very special relationship with Oschersleben. The entire circuit gives me a positive feeling and I always get into a good rhythm there. The triple-left bend is an especially fast section. The curb in the first corner is tough on the cars, as is the fast chicane ahead of the back straight. The perimeter walls are closer to the track at Oschersleben than on any other circuit, but I like circuits that don’t let you make any mistakes. My tip for the spectators is to go to the grandstand on the chicane ahead of the back straight, because it’s a spectacular section and it lets you see the cars for a long time, right from the first corner. A characteristic feature is the long pit stop approach. The whole pit stop therefore takes a lot longer here than at other tracks.”

DTM statistics at Oschersleben since 2004 (Audi “factory” commitment)

Races: 6
Audi victories: 4
Pole positions: 5
Fastest laps: 5

Oschersleben 2009 flashback

Title defender Timo Scheider celebrated his first exploit of the season at Oschersleben, clinching Audi’s 50th win in the DTM in the process. Mattias Ekström and Martin Tomczyk completed a commanding one-two-three result for Audi. Less fortunate was the quickest in qualifying, Tom Kristensen, whose Audi A4 DTM was not standing exactly within the position markings on the grid. After a drive-through penalty the Dane made a recovery from 17th to eighth place.

2009 results
1 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) 48 laps in 1h 08m 39.064s
2 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) + 5.417s
3 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) + 9.603s
4 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes) + 16.868s
5 Gary Paffett (Mercedes) + 17.338s
...
8 Tom Kristensen (Audi A4 DTM) + 44.015s
13 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) + 1m 18.100s
14 Tomáš Kostka (Audi A4 DTM) - 2 laps
15 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) - 3 laps
16 Alexandre Prémat (Audi A4 DTM) - 3 laps
17 Katherine Legge (Audi A4 DTM) - 12 laps

Schedule

Friday, September 17
12:05–12:35 Roll-out
12:35–12:40 Starting practice
15:10–16:40 Free practice 1
16:40–16:45 Starting practice

Saturday, September 18
09:30–11:00 Free practice 2
13:45–14:41 Qualifying

Sunday, September 19
09:30–10:00 Warm-up
14:00 Race

TV schedule (ARD live – local time)

Saturday, September 18
13:30–15:00 Qualifying

Sunday, September 19
13:45–15:35 Race