Good DTM start for Audi
Audi’s DTM comeback took off with strong times during Friday’s two test sessions at Hockenheim. In the morning session, Mattias Ekström was second fastest just 0.005s behind the best time. After having the DTM standard gearbox of his Audi A4 DTM changed between the two tests, Tom Kristensen recorded the second fastest time in the afternoon session. Friday ended early for Frank Biela after spinning off into the gravel.
Quotes after Friday´s tests
Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Audi A4 DTM #5)
2nd / 5th, 1m 35.650s (55 laps)
“Today we gathered much information which we will evaluate now and make the best of in qualifying. I am glad that everyone shows their cards tomorrow and that things are finally getting serious.“
Tom Kristensen (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline Audi A4 DTM #12)
7th / 2nd, 1m 35.660s (49 laps)
“That was my first day on the new Hockenheim track. I like it very much and obviously also my Audi. I am pleased that we learnt a lot and in addition we are also among the front runners – that is good reward for the mechanics who sacrificed their Easter holiday for the preparation of the cars.“
Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Abt Audi A4 DTM #6)
14th / 8th, 1m 36.053s (52 laps)
“We worked a lot with the A4, and happily everything went in the right direction: My long-run was perfect, and we also found a good qualifying setup – exactly the way I hoped to start the weekend.“
Emanuele Pirro (Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest Audi A4 DTM #44)
15th / 9th, 1m 36.125s (53 laps)
“We have a lot of work to do because the Audi A4 DTM in this configuration is still quite new for us. We already learnt many things, but we still have more things to do tomorrow.“
Christian Abt (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline Audi A4 DTM #11)
8th / 12th, 1m 36.498s (38 laps)
“Generally I am happy with the car and the start for the season. Unfortunately I did not drive so much today because we had to search for an oil leak and therefore lost a lot of time. But that is now resolved, and now everything is fine.“
Frank Biela (Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest Audi A4 DTM #45)
17th / 18th, 1m 36.785s (38 laps)
“In the morning session I drove only with used tyres saving the new tyres for the afternoon. That’s why my spin makes me even more unhappy. The set-up is not yet perfect, otherwise I think I would not have spun. But we are heading in the right direction. “
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “It was our task to try out everything with our new car today and to gain further experience on the Hockenheim track. We succeeded with that, and we are also among the top runners. Therefore the day was a success – tomorrow we’ll start the chase for times.“
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest): “We’ve got a car in the top 10, so we can be satisfied with our first day in the new DTM. Unfortunately Frank did not drive so much. Emanuele, instead, completed a good long-run.“
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “We had an extensive programme and completed the majority of what we intended. You can see how close the times are. I think, the 2004 DTM is what we expected: very close. “