Audi wants to increase DTM lead
Two DTM races in as many weekends: Europe’s most popular racing series lines up on the grid at the MOTOPARK Oschersleben only a few days after the race at the Nürburgring. Part of the Audi works team travelled directly to eastern Germany from the Eifel region. At the seventh of ten races the 2004 DTM inches ever closer to the decisive stage. After Audi driver Mattias Ekström took the championship lead once again last weekend, the target is now the extend the lead in the overall classification. The omens look good, as the twisty 3.667 kilometre circuit close to Magdeburg should suit the Audi A4 DTM. Ekström also likes the track on which he celebrated his German debut and first race for Team Abt in 1999.
The race at Oschersleben starts on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ZDF broadcasts live from the MOTOPARK.
Quotes before the race
Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt / Audi A4 DTM #5): “I’m really looking forward to Oschersleben, as Audi should be just as strong there as at the Nürburgring. That means we will once again fight for overall honours. It would be marvellous if I could win at Oschersleben and one of my team colleagues would be second. Whatever happens, my goal is to extend the championship lead.”
Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Abt / Audi A4 DTM #6): “Oschersleben isn’t really a particularly quick track, and doesn’t have any long straights. Therefore traction is again an issue, which should play into our hands. I believe that our Audi A4 will really suit the long left hand corner in the infield section. My goal: to see the finish, score points together with Mattias and, as a result, make up lost ground in the team championship.”
Christian Abt (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline / Audi A4 DTM #11): “Oschersleben is a very demanding circuit, not just for the driver bit also for the car. I think the circuit will suit our Audi. We will all arrive at Oschersleben with very little data, as the last time we drove there was in 2001. That means that everybody starts on a level playing field and you must react quickly to the circumstances. I’m looking forward to this.”
Tom Kristensen (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline / Audi A4 DTM #12): “The last time I drove at Oschersleben was in 1999 in the Super Touring Car Championship when I was second. The MOTOPARK is an extremely demanding circuit with few overtaking points. Our A4 is currently in top form and I am convinced that I will not disappoint my engineer and team.”
Emanuele Pirro (Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest / Audi A4 DTM #44): “We were unlucky at the Nürburgring. We were nevertheless able to demonstrate that we’ve become quicker. That’s why I’m quite optimistic for Oschersleben. We have completed another race and have again gathered valuable experience. The main priority now is to translate this into a good result.”
Frank Biela (Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest / Audi A4 DTM #45): “It would be a good feeling to be able to finish a race again. I firmly believe that a good result was possible at the Nürburgring. The car was very good; unfortunately I couldn’t show its potential because of my early retirement. We changed our approach last weekend. I think it is the right direction. I’d really like to be able to prove it at Oschersleben.”
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “We travel to Oschersleben with a small advantage in the points, but we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. Now it’s a question of keeping one eye on the championship and not to resort to brute force. Our main target is to give a good team performance and to get our four cars to the finish in the top ten.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest): “Oschersleben is new for us, but the track should be good for Audi. You need a lot of downforce there and a car with which you can drive over the kerbs – both strengths of the A4. We will try to find a good set-up and make the best of it. We want to be among the top ten in qualifying and finally score some points in the race again.”
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “At Oschersleben we expect to perform at least as well as we did last weekend at the Nürburgring. I hope that we can increase our championship lead with a good team result. In the DTM this year we have frequently seen that a good result in qualifying is of particular importance for this.”