Audi reaches for lead of the DTM standings

What seemed like a descent to an older-generation Audi A4 DTM has turned into a piece of fortune for Tomczyk. The interaction with his vehicle engineer Jürgen Jungklaus in Audi Sport Team Phoenix is working perfectly. And in combination with the new Hankook tires the drivers of the year-old cars can fully bring their weight advantage over the more current models to bear.

Martin Tomczyk has scored twenty points at the first three races of the 2011 season – more than any other Audi driver. Only three points separate him from the leader of the standings, Bruno Spengler. This means that Tomczyk may even be able to grab the lead of the standings from the Canadian at Lausitz. This is by no means an unrealistic prospect: In the past two years the older-generation A4 cars had already been very strong at the Lausitzring. In addition, all three Audi teams tested at the race track in East Germany – in view of the extremely close competition in this year’s DTM this is by no means just a minor advantage.

On the other hand, the Lausitzring has not necessarily been the favorite track of the Audi A4 DTM in the past years. The last Audi victory took place six years ago. Since then the brand with the four rings has had to settle for podium positions at Lausitz. So it is high time to change this.

The race at the Lausitzring will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 19. ARD will start to broadcast live on “Das Erste” at 1:45 p.m. (local time).

Other topics of the weekend

- Will Audi be able to raise the score in the duel with Mercedes-Benz to 3-1?
- Will Mattias Ekström be able to strike back after the disappointment at Spielberg?
- Will Timo Scheider manage to clinch his first podium of the season?
- Will the DTM again be held in front of a large crowd?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi-Motorsport): “The events at the Lausitzring didn’t always go so well for us in recent years. That’s why we’re very motivated to do better this year. During tests before the season we could see that we’re doing a good job of working with the new tire partner Hankook at the Lausitzring – and also thanks to their weight advantage the older cars will be very strong there again. I’m hoping for us to be able to convert this into a good overall result at Lausitz.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “Every race is a new challenge. You could see how tough the DTM has become most recently at Spielberg. The competitiveness of the field is immense this year. But we’re well sorted for the Lausitzring. We’ve been gathering a lot of experience there during all these years. We’re aiming to convert a solid team performance into good results.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “What can I say after the victory at Spielberg? When you’re riding on such a warm wave you’ve got to try to stay on top of it. We had a good test at the Lausitzring even though the track hadn’t been suiting us so well before. If we manage to get everything together as well as we did in Austria then something will again be possible here. We want to finally end Mercedes’ dominance at Lausitz and clinch a good result for Audi.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “We have tested at the Lausitzring. These tests were positive. The first three races have also clearly been pointing in the right direction – which is upward. Filipe (Albuquerque) of course has to continue to improve. To Edoardo (Mortara) I’m simply wishing a bit more luck. After an excellent qualifying session in Austria he was just unfortunate in the race. Both drivers have got the right speed and were running really well during the test at Lausitz. That’s why I’m sure that we’ll be able to achieve a nice result.”


Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Filipe Albuquerque (26/P), TV Movie Audi A4 DTM #18 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
- Will be celebrating his 26th birthday on Monday before the race
- Clinched his best DTM race result so far by finishing twelfth in Austria
“We had a test at the Lausitzring, so I already know the track. Maybe that’ll make it possible for me to pull a wild card. I’m eager to see how we’ll be doing there. I’ve got another race’s worth of experience under my belt now – that helps.”

Mattias Ekström (32/S), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
- Started from the pole position at Lausitz in 2009 and from position two last year
- Clinched two of his 14 DTM victories so far with Audi there
“I’m already looking forward to the Lausitzring. That’s where I’ll have my next chance. On this track we’ve got a good starting base with respect to the Hankook tires. I’ve got no doubt about motivation being superb –and I don’t mean just my own. It’ll be interesting for us to return to this track.”

Rahel Frey (25/CH), Glamour Audi A4 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
- Finished all three previous races
- Knows the Lausitzring from tests with the A4 DTM
“Naturally, everyone wants to know what we can expect on a track that I already know. I’m eager to see that for myself too. That we know the track is an advantage. But honestly speaking, my favorite tracks are elsewhere. Nevertheless, we’ll continue to work the way we’ve been so far.”

Oliver Jarvis (27/GB), Audi Sport performance cars A4 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
- Clinched his first podium result with Abt at the third round
- Was on the first row most recently at the Red Bull Ring
“I’m very much looking forward to sitting in my Audi A4 DTM again at the Lausitzring. At the Red Bull Ring we achieved a good result. I’m hoping for this strong form to last. Why shouldn’t another podium be possible – and maybe even contention for victory? Finally our season has really begun and I’ve started scoring points. Now I want to experience the next strong weekend.”

Miguel Molina (22/E), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Abt Junior)
- Improved by six positions at the race in Austria
- Is still waiting for his first points of the season
“At the Lausitzring we had our two-day test before the season started. In the past it hadn’t always been the best race track for us. We’ve got to prepare again as best we can in order to drive a good race. Of course the results have to become clearly better.”

Edoardo Mortara (24/I/F), Playboy Audi A4 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
- Achieved his best qualifying result in Austria by taking position four
- Was deprived of his reward by a spin that was not his fault
“We drove a very good test at Lausitz. We want to give our maximum yet again. I’m sure that with Team Rosberg we can achieve a good result for Audi at Lausitz. I’m feeling the support by everyone in the team and by Audi in a very direct way. That’s why I was really disappointed after the third race because a spin deprived us of all chances. They’re doing everything for me and that makes really good results possible.”

Mike Rockenfeller (27/D), E-POSTBRIEF Audi A4 DTM #9 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
- Is the second-best Audi driver in the DTM standings
- In fourth place in a year-old car was the best Audi driver at Lausitz in 2010
“What I’m hoping for at the Lausitzring is a bit more speed. In Austria we weren’t good enough on a dry track. I’m looking forward to the Lausitzring because I had a good race there last year. We’ve got to make a strong effort. It looks like the old cars are particularly quick at the moment. We’ve got to bring all this to bear. I’m looking forward to the Lausitzring. There’s always a tremendous crowd there and it’ll probably be a great race.”

Timo Scheider (32/D), AUTO TEST Audi A4 DTM #4 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
- Second place has been his best result so far at Lausitz
- As the third-best Audi driver is currently ranked in fifth place of the DTM standings
“Thanks to our new tire partner Hankook the cards have been reshuffled at the Lausitzring. In the past Mercedes was strong there. But I’m very hopeful that we’ll be looking better there this year. Then we’ll see how the journey continues.”

Martin Tomczyk (29/D), Schaeffler Audi A4 DTM #14 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
- By clinching the pole position and victory in Austria experienced a dream weekend
- As the best Audi driver, is ranking just three points behind the leader of the standings
“After our victory at Spielberg I’m looking forward to the next race with particularly eager anticipation. The Lausitzring is a nice race track, even though it’s not necessarily my favorite one this season. We tested there and could see how tight it is. I’m eager to see how things will continue there.”

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: 3; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 12th place); fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Lausitzring: -

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: 107 pole positions: 16; victories: 14; fastest laps: 11; points: 491; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result,DTM Lausitzring: 1st

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: 3; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 15th place) fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Lausitzring: -

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: 35; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 47; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Lausitzring: 8th

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: 14; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 15; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Lausitzring: 13th

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: 3; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 6th place); fastest laps: 0; points: 3; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Lausitzring: -

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 Lausitzring: 4th

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: 112; pole positions: 9; victories: 6; fastest laps: 6; points: 330; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result, DTM Lausitzring: 2nd

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: 106; pole positions: 8; victories: 5; fastest laps: 5; points: 269; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Lausitzring: 4th

2011 DTM point standings

1 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz) 23 points
2 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) 20 points
3 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) 14 points
4 Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz) 14 points
5 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) 11 points
6 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz) 10 points
7 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) 9 points
8 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) 6 points
9 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 4 points
10 Edoardo Mortara (Audi A4 DTM) 3 points
11 Maro Engel (Mercedes-Benz) 3 points

2011 DTM point standings

Victories: Mercedes-Benz 1; Audi 2
Pole positions: Mercedes-Benz 2; Audi 1
Fastest laps: Mercedes-Benz 2; Audi 1
Leading laps: Mercedes-Benz 63; Audi 54

2011 DTM season interim statistics

Pole positions: 59
Victories: 56
Fastest laps: 48
Champion’s titles: 7 (1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)

All Lausitzring winners since 2001

2001 Peter Dumbreck (Mercedes-Benz)
2002 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2003 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Mattias Ekström (Audi)
2005 (1) Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 (2) Mattias Ekström (Audi)
2006 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Mika Häkkinen (Mercedes-Benz)
2008 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz)
2009 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2010 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)

Track info

Track length: 3.478 km
Race distance: 52 laps = 180.856 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 17.628s = 161.292 km/h (May 17, 2008)
DTM race record on this track: Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 18.938s = 158.616 km/h (May 18, 2008)
Pole position 2010: Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 18.772s = 158.950 km/h (June 05, 2010)
Fastest lap 2010: Mike Rockenfeller (Audi), 1m 19.957s = 156.594 km/h (June 06, 2010)
Turnout 2010: 79,000

Mike Rockenfeller about the Lausitzring: “At Lausitz we’re racing at a modern facility. It’s huge, so we really don’t perceive the large crowd that’s always there. The fans there are particularly loyal to the DTM. This modern track is very safe for us drivers, and the wide pit lane offers the teams a lot of advantages while they’re working. I’ve got pleasant memories of last year when I was the best Audi driver there. The low grip of the tarmac is notable. The brakes and mechanical grip for the car’s traction are particularly important there. In the long right-hander in the second part of the track aerodynamics are important as well. After this turn you can overtake, just like when braking into the next left-hand turn and after the start.”

2010 flashback

Mike Rockenfeller was the best Audi racer at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in 2010. The 26-year-old driver from Audi Sport Team Phoenix clinched fourth place in front of a turnout of 79,000 spectators. In addition, “Rocky” shone by setting the absolutely fastest race lap. Valencia winner Mattias Ekström, who had started into the race from position three, was hit in the rear by Alexandre Prémat shortly after the start and forced into a spin. David Coulthard in the next car was no longer able to avoid hitting Eckström. The impact damaged Ekström’s A4 so heavily that the Swede had to retire in the pits.

2010 results
1 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes) laps in 1h 12m 32.740s
2 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes) + 4.542s
3 Jamie Green (Mercedes) + 5.323s
4 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) + 8.350s
5 Gary Paffett (Mercedes) + 12.358s
6 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) + 15.288s
...
8 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) + 26.430s
10 Markus Winkelhock (Audi A4 DTM) + 42.619s
11 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) + 47.559s
13 Miguel Molina (Audi A4 DTM) + 1m 02.319s
14 Katherine Legge (Audi A4 DTM) + 1m 13.593s

Schedule

Friday, June 17
09:00–09:30 Roll-out
09:30–09:35 Starting practice
12:00–13:30 Free practice 1
13:30–13:35 Starting practice

Saturday, June 18
09:30–11:00 Free practice 2
13:40–14:50 Qualifying

Sunday, June 19
09:40–10:10 Warm-up
14:00 Race

TV schedule (ARD live)

Saturday, June 18
13:45–15:13 Qualifying

Sunday, June 19
13:45–15:35 Race