DTM Spielberg 2017
The Audi DTM team after two 1-2-3 victories at Spielberg

Quotes from the Audi drivers and officials following two one-two-three wins of the Audi RS 5 DTM at the DTM round in Austria.

Dieter Gass (Head of Audi Motorsport)
“With two one-two-three wins it was a superb weekend for Audi. We weren’t sure where we’d stand with the same weight compared to our two competitors. We were pleased to see that the RS 5 DTM at the Red Bull Ring with the same prerequisites for all three manufacturers was the fastest and, above all, the most consistent car. That we were perfectly sorted already on Saturday was another crucial factor. It was obvious that the field in qualifying on Sunday was clearly closer together and that, as a result, racing was more spectacular. In both races, we saw fantastic teamwork in our squad and some of our rivals playing hardball. On Sunday, Mattias (Ekström) definitely got nothing for free. But gifts are not what we want, but earn victories and titles with the best car. It’s a shame that Lucas Auer was deprived of valuable points on Sunday. Otherwise the situation before the finale at Hockenheim would be even more thrilling because Mercedes-Benz has always been very strong there. But even so, the DTM fans can look forward to a spectacular showdown.”

Mattias Ekström (Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #5) position 1 / position 5
“I’m very happy. I had two great races with a victory and fifth place, and was able to score many points. At the restart on Sunday, I definitely had the worst tires in the field. On the whole, this weekend has been great fun.”

Nico Müller (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #51) position 3 / position 3
“The second race was real fun. From position five on Sunday it was more difficult to finish on podium than on Saturday. It was great that it worked out. I had a number of fantastic fights. Plus, we celebrated two one-two-three wins for Audi. I’m very happy that I was part of them. The strongest driver of the weekend was missing on Sunday: Jamie (Green). He would have deserved the 25 points. This year has been a bit slow for me. That’s why Spielberg felt good. And I’m happy for my guys about the podium places. They worked hard for them.”

René Rast (AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT Audi RS 5 DTM #33) position 13 / position 1
“On the one hand, I’m happy about victory. These are important points for the championship. On the other hand, I’m a little sad because a perfect team result would have been possible on Sunday. I’m sorry for Jamie (Green). He was the dominant driver this weekend. I wouldn’t have begrudged him victory. But a race is only over when the checkered flag has fallen. It wasn’t a perfect weekend for us Rosberg boys but we’re back in the game for the championship. That should give us tailwind for Hockenheim.”

Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #99) position 7 / position 2
“I’m happy about the podium. But I would have also been happy about third place because in terms of the sport Jamie (Green) was simply stronger on Sunday. It was great coming second from fourth on the grid. The restart was the highlight for me. Before the pit stop, nothing was working for me, and some drivers passed me. But on the second set of tires the car felt good again. And then the safety car came. After a good restart, I was able to stand my ground against Marco Wittmann. On Saturday, we could have finished on podium too with a good strategy. That we didn’t manage that sticks as a little negative.”

Jamie Green (Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM #53) position 2 / position 14
“This weekend Team Rosberg and I showed a strong performance. The Audi RS 5 DTM with the same weight as the competition was really strong. I’m proud of the two pole positions. On Sunday, I was very close to a race victory until three laps before the end a shifting problem occurred. That was frustrating. But now we need to look ahead.”

Loïc Duval (Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM #77) position 14 / position 8
“That we managed to score points again on Sunday is a positive. But on the whole things didn’t go as expected. Audi did a great job this weekend and showed that we’ve got the best car. Personally, I had difficulties in both qualifying sessions. There are always a few small things missing that keep us from performing as planned. In the races, though, we’ve been able to keep pace well. I hope that we’ll do better in qualifying at Hockenheim – that would make life easier for us, because, as we all know, you have a hard time in the DTM without a good grid position.”

Thomas Biermaier (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
“That was another intensive weekend on which our two drivers, and so our team, scored the most points on both days. On Saturday, Mattias (Ekström), after a strong qualifying, finally scored an overdue victory this season. Unfortunately on Sunday, he didn’t have a good qualifying session. That’s why we went for broke with our strategy and had him pit for the tire change right after the first lap. When the safety car was deployed shortly before the end, he was obviously with his back against the wall on his old tires. But we saw Mattias at his best once again. The way he overtook Marco Wittmann on the used tires was spectacular and in the end might have been an important move with a view towards the championship. If he drives the same way at Hockenheim and is not as unfortunate as Jamie (Green) was here, he’s got the best chances of clinching the title. Nico (Müller) topped off a great weekend for us with two strong third places. He drove superbly and it irks me that he’s being criticized by BMW in such an unfair way. He did nothing wrong or unfair. Apparently, some people have trouble dealing with the fact that they no longer have a weight advantage or a wider wing.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
“A very nice weekend for Audi. Occupying all three podium positions on both days – really impressive. Now it was obvious that the Audi RS 5 DTM is the fastest car. Looking at our team performance, we were already fast on Saturday, especially with Mike (Rockenfeller). Unfortunately, we weren’t able to advance further. And Sunday then was an incredibly crazy race. Rocky had problems on two, three laps and lost a lot of time. Still, in the end, he’s in position two. Loïc (Duval) after the safety car period attacked again too and in the end rewarded himself with position eight.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
“This weekend we experienced an emotional roller coaster. Jamie (Green) was the fastest man on both days. He was leading the second race, then the shock two laps before the end. I’m sorry for him having lost a practically sure victory. Congratulations, of course, to René Rast. Now we’re looking at Hockenheim, because we were fast at Spielberg, so why shouldn’t we be again at Hockenheim?”