AUDI has a brilliant DTM at Arena Oschersleben.

• Curious DTM round at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben
• Mike Rockenfeller drives to the top of the standings
• Audi leads manufacturers’ and teams’ standings as well

65,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben saw an action-packed DTM race of the curious kind in which rain and safety car periods made for a tyre gamble. The big winners of the day included title defender Mike Rockenfeller, who as the runner-up in the Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Phoenix took the lead of the drivers’ standings. Audi moved to the top in the manufacturers’ and teams’ standings as well. 

 

Right in time for the start of the race the sky above the Motorsport Arena opened its floodgates. The drivers who started the race on harder standard tyres lost position by position as the track became increasingly wet. They also included Mike Rockenfeller, who dropped as far back as 19th place. The decision of his team to call the reigning Champion in for an early mandatory pit stop proved to be a fortunate move. Favoured by a total of three safety car periods Rockenfeller was able to recover the previously lost ground and in the end crossed the finish line in second place, trailing the winner Christian Vietoris by a gap of only 0.674 seconds. 

 

“It was a chaotic race,” Rockenfeller said after the race. “I started on standard tyres and that wasn’t a good choice for the initial conditions. For me, the race seemed to be over at that time. But then Team Phoenix made a superb decision and called me in for the yire change at exactly the right moment. Even victory would have still been possible. But second place is good, too. We scored a lot of points and clinched the lead of the standings. It was a great day for us. ‘Many thanks’ to Audi and to Team Phoenix.”

 

With Edoardo Mortara in the Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline two Audi drivers were on podium just like in the season opener at Hockenheim two weeks ago. The Italian was touched by Pascal Wehrlein in the hectic early phase, spun and dropped to 21st place. Mortara moved up his mandatory pit stop as well and thus took third place following a fierce battle with Vietoris and Rockenfeller. 

 

An impressive recovery was also achieved by Miguel Molina, who in his Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM had retroactively lost his commandingly clinched pole position on Saturday due to a violation of the Technical Regulations and had to start the race from the last position on the grid. With the fastest race lap and sixth place the Spaniard confirmed Saturday’s performance. 

 

The tragic hero of the race was Jamie Green, who in the Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Rosberg was in a class of his own in the race, advanced to the front from tenth place on the grid and gained an advantage of more than ten seconds that was subsequently ruined by the safety car periods. In the end, Green took a gamble, switched to slicks but on the last lap slipped and lost a possible seventh place. 

 

Green together with Adrien Tambay (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM) and Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM) had made for an Audi one-two-three lead for large parts of the race. The safety cars destroyed their race as well. Positions seven (Scheider) and ten (Tambay) were only little consolation. 

 

Mattias Ekström (Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM) and Nico Müller (Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM) in positions 13 and 16 finished out of the points. 

 

“It was a crazy race with an unexpected outcome,” said Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. “When you’ve got the fastest car in the field, are leading the race for some time with three cars and have more than a ten-second advantage it’s obviously a bit disappointing to take second and third place in the end. But today was a gamble that favoured those who were able to take the biggest risks. It’s great that we again had two drivers on the podium and have taken the lead in the drivers’, manufacturers’ and the teams’ standings. The race also had two tragic heroes: Jamie Green, who was in a class of his own in the rain today and in the end went unrewarded. Plus: Miguel Molina, who drove the fastest lap. If he hadn’t been forced to start from the last position a lot more than sixth place would probably have been possible. He’s extremely fast this year.” 

 

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “The DTM fans got to see plenty of action: fierce duels, slips, overtaking manoeuvres and a gamble with the strategies that in the end rewarded those who took particularly high risks. With Mike (Rockenfeller) and Edo (Mortara) we were fortunate while others unfortunately went unrewarded although they drove great races. On the whole, our RS 5 DTM made a strong showing this weekend.” 

 

Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): “Without any exaggeration: It was really very turbulent, from the beginning to the end. Whenever the cars are on the grid and rain sets in there’s boundless uncertainty. Further into the race, with the heavier rain and the safety car periods, the spectators were treated to plenty of action. We’ve got two Audi drivers on the podium – Mike (Rockenfeller) and Edoardo (Mortara). That’s a good result but I’m still a bit disappointed. For long stretches, it was possible for us to win on our own strength. Until shortly before the end we were running in front and still didn’t manage to win.” 

 

Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM), 2nd place

Tyres: standard/rain/rain

“The race was chaotic, I’m very happy with my podium finish. Halfway through the race, the situation for me didn’t look as though we’d be scoring points. ‘Thank you’ to all the people who made the decision to call me into the pits at the right time. I just tried to bring my car home undamaged.” 

 

Edoardo Mortara (Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM), 3rd place

Tyres: standard/rain/rain

“A great feeling after such a disappointing year. We could have already been on podium at Hockenheim. Today, even more than third place would have been possible. When we fitted the second set of rain tyres the inflation pressure was very low and initially I wasn’t able to build up any grip. I battled to finish my race. Third place is a good result.”

Miguel Molina (Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM), 6th place

Tyres: option/rain/rain

“It was a good race for me. After I clinched the pole position yesterday we unfortunately had to start from the very rear today. Advancing from the last position to sixth place in this crazy race is really good. On the whole, I’m happy because I drove a good race and at Budapest we’re hopefully going to be just as fast.” 

 

Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM), 7th place

Tyres: option/rain/rain

“A disappointing result! Like at Hockenheim, we were headed for a podium and finished in seventh place – we can’t be happy with that. Today, the safety car periods ruined our race. It’s disappointing to suffer misfortune twice in succession. On a positive note, though, we had the speed. I’m not going to settle for that. Although seventh place gives me important points it’s not what I’d been hoping for.” 

 

Adrien Tambay (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM), 10th place

Tyres: option/rain/rain

“I still can’t completely come to grips with it. I started from second place and after the safety car suddenly found myself in tenth place again. Obviously, I’m pretty unhappy about that. We did a good job and could have finished on the podium again. That’s a real shame. But at least we were able to score points twice in succession. We’re going to continue to give everything and are hoping to be more fortunate in the next race.” 

 

Mattias Ekström (Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM), 13th place

Tyres: standard/rain/rain

“I’ve got to take the time to look at the race again. But from my point of view there were a lot of accidents, a lot of safety car periods and a lot of bumpers contacting each other.”

 

Nico Müller (Audi Financial Services RS 5 DTM), 16th place

Tyres: standard/rain/rain

“I had a good start but when the rain got heavier running on standard tyres was extremely difficult – the drivers on option tyres of course flew past us. But compared to the other drivers on standards I was running well. After switching to rain tyres I initially was struggling a bit until the temperature was right. Then, when the safety car period started, it was extremely hard to even maintain an overview of the situation and with our pit stop we weren’t very fortunate, which caused us to lose a lot of ground. When I finally tried to approach Ekström I lost another position. But I learned a lot in these difficult conditions and it was great fun.”

 

Jamie Green (Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM), 18th place

Tyres: option/rain/option

“A long story. My pace was good, I was running in front with a large advantage. Then the safety car was deployed and the field was pushed together. Following the safety car period, I was initially able to pull ahead but then had to make my mandatory pit stop. We opted for slicks, which was the right choice. I still overtook (Gary) Paffett and (Martin) Tomczyk. I was on Miguel’s (Molina) heels and in the chicane put on a bit too much pressure. That caused me to lose control of the rear and to retire on the last lap, which is very painful. But I showed my ability and my speed today, which was positive for me and for the team because this was only my second race with Team Rosberg.”

 

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “A totally crazy race with many highs and lows. But in the end we’re pleased because we scored points and the season is still long. For the fans, it was a very interesting race. We’re very happy with Miguel Molina. He started from the last position and finished in sixth place – that’s a superb result and a little compensation for the qualifying session.” 

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “We scored points with both cars, both drivers drove good races. It was a gamble this time. We had to choose different strategies with both cars so that it would work out with one driver. Timo (Scheider) was in contention for a long time but after the safety car period his chance of taking a podium was gone. ‘Rocky’ (Mike Rockenfeller) was running at the rear in the beginning and in the end mounted the podium. We did a lot of things right today. When you’re traveling to Budapest as the leader of the drivers’ and teams’ standings you can be happy.” 

 

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “Misfortune has still not left us. Jamie (Green), from my point of view, drove a sensational race. The safety car killed him. The decision to switch to slicks at the end wasn’t wrong, but the excursion shortly before the end was of course a shame. Nico (Müller) first had to learn how to drive a DTM car in the rain. It was going pretty well for him and in tenth place he was already nibbling on points. Then the spin happened. But you can’t fault him for that. As I said before – he drove the RS 5 DTM in rain for the first time today.”

AUDI reveals new look to 2014 RS 5 DTM Challenger.

• Audi RS 5 DTM presented in Schaeffler colors
• Schedule before 2014 Hockenheim season opener established
• Mike Rockenfeller: “Can hardly wait for track tests to start”

No other car has shaped the image of the DTM in recent years as much as the yellow-green Audi has. Now, the brand has revealed the livery of the new # 1 Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM car in which Champion Mike Rockenfeller is aiming to defend his title. 

Martin Tomczyk in 2011 and Mike Rockenfeller in 2013: Two titles have gone to Audi and the race car sporting the yellow-green colors of the Schaeffler Group in the most recent past, and the reigning champion wouldn’t mind if the string of success in the most popular international touring car series continued. “If the car is as fast as it looks, we’ve got good chances of being in contention,” Rockenfeller commented about his new Audi RS 5 DTM.

 

The new generation of the race car that made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show last week features newly developed aerodynamics and numerous detailed improvements underneath the carbon fiber skin. Audi has revealed the Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM as the first of the total of eight liveries with which the brand is competing in the DTM in 2014. While the basic colors of ‘Rocky’s’ car have been retained, the body contours of the near-460 hp (340 kW) touring car are now even more dynamic than before.

 

“I was thrilled as soon as I saw the initial designs but the car itself looks even more impressive,” says Mike Rockenfeller, who presented his RS 5 DTM to guests on the night before Audi’s annual press conference. “I’m incredibly excited about my first DTM season with ‘#1’ emblazoned on the car and can hardly wait for the next track tests to start.” 

 

The schedule before the season opener at Hockenheim on May 4 has been confirmed. The Audi RS 5 DTM was homologated at the beginning of March. From March 31 to April 3, the DTM will be testing on the Hungaroring in Budapest to which the series is returning this year. From April 14 to 17, the ‘rehearsal’ for the first race will follow at the Hockenheimring. Furthermore, the eight drivers including the three DTM Champions Mike Rockenfeller, Mattias Ekström and Timo Scheider got ready for the new season, which Audi has totally dedicated to the ‘title defense’ mission, at a one-week teambuilding and fitness camp. 

GENEVA - AUDI debuts RS 5 DTM challenger for 2014

• 2014 generation of the Championship winning car clearly more aggressive
• New season is under the motto of ‘title defence’
• Audi CTO Hackenberg: “Motorsport accelerates development”

Audi has unveiled the new generation of the DTM Championship winning car at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2014-specification Audi RS 5 DTM with its aerodynamics package having been redesigned in practically all areas looks clearly more aggressive and features visual details bearing an even closer resemblance to the sporty production models of the RS line than its predecessor.

The task that confronted Audi Sport after the 2013 season was a real challenge: how do you make a DTM championship winning car even better? Since the strict regulations in the touring car series allow little room for manoeuvre, the engineers concentrated extensively on detail work. The latest result was unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. Noticeable at first glance: the new Audi RS 5 DTM appears significantly more aggressive. The reason for this is the near complete re-development of the aerodynamics. 

“In addition to the suspension, our main priority was to improve the aero,” says Stefan Aicher, Head of Vehicle Design at Audi Sport. The RS 5 now has the honeycomb grill from the production car at the front and new air ducts feeding the engine and brakes. As a result, the race car now shares an almost identical look to the sporting RS production models. 

The innovations along the flanks are also obvious: in order to make the airflow even more efficient along the outer skin, the exterior mirrors were integrated into the aerodynamic concept. The aerodynamics along the side between the front and rear wheels also reveals a new concept. The inner rear wheel arches are, in contrast to last year, closed and the rear part is now flat. Aicher: “The DTM rules are strict, which is why minute detail work is required within the tight limitations.”

Invisible from the outside, but crucial for the perfect set-up at each respective race track: the work invested under the carbon fibre skin enveloping the RS 5 DTM. “For example, we made suspension modifications to the front and rear axles, from which we expect improvements,” says Aicher, without wishing to go into too much detail about these and other new and further developments invisible from the outside.

 “In production development, we tackle the challenge of making good cars even better day by day,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development of AUDI AG. “This applies to Audi Sport as a part of Audi’s Technical Development as well. The most recent results achieved by hard work are an all-new R18 e-tron quattro that we’re aiming to stand our ground with at Le Mans and in the WEC against Porsche and Toyota, plus a largely new RS 5 DTM with which we’re aiming to keep our number-one spot in the tough competition with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Of course, neither of these commitments is an end in itself: Motorsport at Audi accelerates the development of new technologies.”

 Audi contests two races against time year after year: one on the race tracks and the other in the Audi Sport offices in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Because when the DTM celebrates its season opener at Hockenheim in the spring, the engineers start working on the race car for the following year. The ‘RC3,’ as the 2014 version of the Audi RS 5 DTM is known internally, was thus born in May last year. “We begin with the first fundamental thoughts from every department before the aerodynamics are developed in a continuous process,” says Stefan Aicher, Head of Vehicle Design at Audi Sport. “The goal is to have the base for the new car finished before the year is out. The detail work follows.”

 

There are still two official tests in Budapest and at the Hockenheimring on the agenda before Mike Rockenfeller, with start number ‘1’, and his team-mates start the new season at Hockenheim on May, 4.

AUDI to compete with three DTM Champions in 2014

• Mattias Ekström and Timo Scheider are staying with Audi
• Mike Rockenfeller competes as title defender 
• Head of Motorsport Dr. Ullrich: “Important pillars of our squad”

It’s been sealed: For the first time in DTM history, Audi will be competing with three DTM Champions in the 2014 season. Following Mike Rockenfeller (D/30), Mattias Ekström (S/35) and Timo Scheider (D/35) have been confirmed as drivers as well.

“I’m delighted that, alongside title defender Mike Rockenfeller, our two most successful DTM drivers also continue to be on board,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Eki and Timo have been important pillars of our DTM squad for years. They’re great guys, strong personalities, popular with the fans and perfect ambassadors for the four rings.”

Mattias Ekström is tackling an amazing 14th DTM season for Audi next year. From 2001 to 2003, he competed in the Abt Audi TT-R. Since 2004, the Swede has been an Audi factory driver. With 17 victories and two Champion’s titles (2004 and 2007) under his belt he is the most successful Audi DTM driver of all. “Audi has long become my second home,” says the Swede. “I’m fully motivated to battle for victories and Championship titles for Audi again in 2014.”

Timo Scheider joined Audi in 2006 and in his first season was immediately the best driver of a year-old Audi. In 2008 and 2009, he won the DTM, perfecting a title hat-trick for Audi. Audi has been the first and only automobile manufacturer to date to have clinched three DTM drivers’ titles in succession.

“The dream with Audi can continue,” says Timo Scheider, looking forward to his ninth season under the symbol of the four rings. “It’s been my wish to keep driving for Audi and it’s a nice feeling to continue to enjoy the brand’s trust after so many years. I’m hoping for us to have many more successful years together.”

For Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport, Ekström, Rockenfeller and Scheider are three important pillars in the title defence project. “As our two competitors are going to leave no stone unturned next year to challenge us for the title, we’ve got to be poised with a strong line-up that’s up to the challenge. Having three drivers in the squad who know how to win in the DTM gives us a good feeling. And the other five cockpits will be filled with strong drivers too.”

AUDI looking to build on successful qualifying at the Nurburgring

• Miguel Molina on grid position three at Nürburgring ‘home round’
• Edoardo Mortara on second row as well 
• Leader of the standings Mike Rockenfeller starts from position eleven

Since the beginning of the season Miguel Molina has had a second residence near the Nürburgring. Round seven of the DTM is thus something like a home round for the Spaniard – and on Sunday the 24-year-old will be tackling it from grid position three as the best Audi driver.

As is often the case in the DTM, thousandths of a second made the crucial difference about moving on to the next segment of the four-part qualifying session. This truth was brought home as well to leader of the standings Mike Rockenfeller, who in the Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Phoenix set the best time in the first segment but in the second one missed the leap into the top ten by a razor-thin margin of 0.007 seconds. Thus, ‘Rocky’ will be starting from position eleven, one place behind his fiercest rival in the battle for the title, BMW driver Bruno Spengler.

Rockenfeller’s team-mate Miguel Molina on the other hand managed a nearly perfect qualifying performance and the leap into the top four for the first time this season. The Spaniard missed a position on the front row by only 0.006 seconds. He was highly pleased nonetheless: “That was a good qualifying session for me. My thanks go to Audi and to Team Phoenix. We’ve had many rough days this season. That makes it all the sweeter to finally be able to battle for victory again. I never lost my self-confidence but worked hard. I know how tough the DTM is and that anything can always happen. I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow.”

Alongside Molina, Edoardo Mortara in the Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Rosberg will be tackling the race from the second row as well. The Italian who lives in Geneva was quick in all four qualifying segments.

With Mattias Ekström in the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline on grid position nine, drivers of all three Audi factory teams made it into the top ten. Ekström’s team-mate Jamie Green in Q3 felt obstructed by Mercedes driver Gary Paffett and will start alongside Rockenfeller from the sixth row on Sunday.

Adrien Tambay in the Audi ultra RS 5 DTM will be tackling the race from position 14. Filipe Albuquerque in Q1 in 17th place was lacking 0.004 seconds to make it into the next segment after having achieved the best time in the morning’s free practice.

Timo Scheider’s string of misfortune continued at the Nürburgring. In free practice, a technical defect activated the fire extinguisher of his AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM. Due to a problem with the fuel tank system Scheider at the end of Q1 only had a single lap, which ended in traffic and grid position 18.

“We’ve been able to continue our string of being the only manufacturer to have had at least one car on the two front rows of the grid in all races – and here we’ve even got two,” said Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. “Qualifying was as close as usual, the conditions kept changing slightly, depending on the position of the clouds. So that meant a bit of fortune was necessary as well. ‘Rocky’ unfortunately didn’t have it in Q2. Starting from position eleven tomorrow won’t make things easy for him. But Bruno (Spengler) and Gary (Paffett), his two fiercest rivals in the battle for the title, aren’t at the very front either. I’m particularly happy for Miguel (Molina) and Edo (Mortara): Both have had a difficult season so far and will have the chance of finishing on the podium tomorrow.”

AUDI completes Historic race at Moscow Raceway with a one-two win

• Mike Rockenfeller triumphs at DTM’s premiere in Moscow
• Strong second place for Mattias Ekström
• Five Audi drivers score points at Moscow Raceway

Historic success for Audi: At the first Russian DTM race in history, Mike Rockenfeller (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) and Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) caused a one-two Audi victory in front of an impressive crowd of 45,000 spectators (throughout the weekend). Rockenfeller, on clinching his second success of the season, managed to extend his lead in the overall standings to 27 points.

A perfect day for Audi at Moscow Raceway: On the new DTM race track around 80 kilometers north-west of Moscow, Mike Rockenfeller in the Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM and Mattias Ekström in the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM commandingly set the pace right from the start. After 74 laps, the two Audi drivers had more than a ten-second advantage over the BMW of Augusto Farfus, who just barely managed to save third place on crossing the finish line ahead of Adrien Tambay in another Audi RS 5 DTM.

“Obviously, this was a really big step in the Championship today,” said a jubilant Mike Rockenfeller after the race. “It’s great having won here at the DTM’s premiere in Russia. It was a similarly perfect race as at Brands Hatch: starting from the pole position and finishing in first place. My Audi RS 5 DTM was fantastic and Team Phoenix did a superb job. At the Norisring, I was too slow but here everything fit together.”

Rockenfeller started on softer option tires and, running at the front of the field, set consistently fast times for 45 laps before switching to the standard tires. At the beginning of the race, Ekström, who was running on the harder tires, managed to keep the BMW of Augusto Farfus, who had started on option tires as well, at bay. The Swede thus laid the foundation for the historic Audi one-two victory.

Five Audi RS 5 DTM cars in total finished at the DTM’s Russian premiere in the points, including all four cars of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline. A strong race was driven as well by youngster Adrien Tambay, who in the Audi ultra RS 5 DTM pushed forward from position twelve on the grid to fourth place, drove the fastest race lap and scored his first points this year. Jamie Green in the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM only lost fifth place to Mercedes driver Gary Paffett shortly before the end. Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM) from 14th on the grid advanced to ninth place and thus finished in the points as well.

Filipe Albuquerque in the Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Rosberg in position 13 missed a top-ten result by just three seconds. His team-mate Edoardo Mortara was hit by a rival on the starting lap and dropped to the end of the field. After 31 laps, he parked his damaged Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM in the pits.

The race of Miguel Molina (Audi RS 5 DTM), who after an unfortunate collision with title defender Bruno Spengler was forced to retire on the sixth lap, ended early as well.

Still, for Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport, the DTM’s premiere in Russia could “hardly have gone any better”: “A one-two victory, five of our cars in the points and now a clear lead of the standings for Mike Rockenfeller, who just like Mattias Ekström drove an absolutely perfect race despite the fact that both drivers repeatedly encountered traffic. The race took place in front of a great crowd and the Audi RS 5 DTM was clearly the strongest car here at Moscow Raceway, and superb teamwork played a role as well in our having achieved a brilliant result for Audi.”

AUDI DTM arrives in Russia for next race.

• Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller leads DTM standings
• Moscow Raceway is new territory for drivers and teams
• DMSB has scheduled appeal court session in Ekström case

Audi drivers visited Moscow on several occasions in the past few months to promote the DTM visit, which gave them the opportunity to intensively experience the enthusiasm of the fans on location. Now the race is just around the corner: From August 2 to August 4, the Audi RS 5 DTM and leader of the standings Mike Rockenfeller are making their race debut in Russia.

The DTM’s premiere in Russia is a calculation with many unknown quantities. None of the drivers has ever competed in a race at Moscow Raceway and the track layout with a length of only 2.555 kilometres has never been used by any racing series at all. Consequently, there is no experience available with respect to set-up or strategy on the third-shortest circuit featured on the 2013 DTM calendar. How fast the Audi Sport Teams Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg and their drivers will be able to adjust to the new challenge will be a key success factor.

An Audi driver – Mike Rockenfeller – is travelling to Russia as the leader of the standings. The German has scored points in each race so far, claimed victory at one round and, at the beginning of the second half of the season, has a two-point advantage over the reigning Champion Bruno Spengler. The DTM has not experienced a season as thrilling and hard to predict as 2013 in a long time, with five different winners in the first five races – a tally like this at the season’s midpoint was last seen six years ago.

Before heading for Moscow, the Audi squad has another date on its agenda. The German Motorsport Federation (DMSB) has scheduled the court session to hear the appeal of Mattias Ekström’s exclusion from the fifth round of the season at the Norisring for July 30. The Swede had initially won the city street race in Nuremberg but was subsequently excluded due to an alleged breach of parc fermé rules. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline immediately appealed this decision.

Tickets for all DTM races of the 2013 season are available at www.audi-motorsport.com/dtm. Fans in many countries of the world can watch qualifying and the race live on the DTM’s new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/dtmint live. A total of 39 TV channels air live DTM coverage in 141 countries.

In Germany, as usual, ARD will broadcast live on “Das Erste:” Qualifying on Saturday (August 3) starting at 14:30, the race on Sunday (August 4) starting at 13:15.