Audi aiming for first place at Moscow
Five Audi drivers hunting leader of the standings Marco Wittmann.
Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG BMW M4 DTM
XPB Images
Ingolstadt – The Audi squad is traveling to the DTMs second round in Russia with a clear aim: After seven podium places in the first four races, the first victory of the season is to follow at Moscow next weekend (July 11 to 13). The event marks the seasons midpoint and will be held on the long configuration of the Moscow Raceway for the first time.
Audi is showing a strong, cohesive team performance in the 2014 DTM season. Following the first four races, six drivers of the brand are in the top ten of the standings, in positions two to six and nine. Edoardo Mortara, Mattias Ekström and Mike Rockenfeller are trailing leader of the standings Marco Wittman in striking distance and have the chance to bump the BMW driver from the top spot with a victory. In the manufacturers and teams classifications, Audi is traveling to Russia as the leader of the standings. Victory is the only thing that is still missing in the track record of the four rings this year.
Chances for a successful weekend at Moscow Raceway, which is about an hour and a halfs drive from the center of the city, are good. Last year, the subsequent champion, Mike Rockenfeller, and his brand colleague Mattias Ekström celebrated a commanding one-two victory with an advantage of more than ten seconds, which is untypically large in the DTM. The pole position and the fastest race lap went to Audi as well.
Instead of the short configuration, which is only a little more than 2.5 kilometers long, the DTM will be using the 3.931-kilometer track this year. The new section features a few fast combinations of turns and provides more overtaking opportunities. The end of the long straight in front of the start and finish where the drivers, just before braking, will be reaching a speed of more than 240 km/h this year, continues to offer an optimal opportunity.
Quotes by the officials
Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): The first victory of the season has long been overdue for our squad. Weve been showing a consistently strong performance with nearly all of our drivers whereas our competitors keep experiencing highs and lows. Our aim for the race at Moscow is to repeat last years victory even though well be racing on a different configuration of the track. Weve got a balanced team performance this year and still have a number of drivers in contention for the championship. This also means that weve got several hot candidates for victory at Moscow in our ranks.
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): Moscow is a race track that suits us really well. We know that from last year and the longer track configuration wont change that. Were proud of providing the best Audi driver and the best Audi team in the standings. Obviously, wed like to defend these positions and, above all, further reduce the gap to the leading BMW driver.
Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): With Mikes (Rockenfeller) victory last year weve only got fond memories of Moscow. I walked the long track configuration last year and am sure that itll suit as well. Were aiming to score big points with both cars.
Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): Were looking forward to Moscow and are taking the Norisring success with us as additional motivation. Jamie (Green) drove a strong race in Russia last year.
Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Mattias Ekström (35/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #7 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
In 2013, together with Mike Rockenfeller, was in a class of his own at Moscow
Drove the fastest race lap at the Norisring
The race last year was one of the best ones in my DTM career. Thats why Im excited and really looking forward to the weekend. I like the people and the enthusiasm in Russia and am going to give everything to up the ante because the biggest trophy is still missing in my collection this year.
Jamie Green (32/GB), Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM #21 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
In Nuremberg, clinched the first podium place for Team Rosberg in 2014
As the runner-up at the Norisring, scored his best result for Audi
I really enjoyed the trip to Moscow last year even though getting to and from the airport to the hotel and the race track may be a bit more difficult than at other venues. The track suited our car well and that wont be any different on the longer configuration.
Miguel Molina (25/E), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
Did the quickest pit stop of all Audi drivers at the Norisring
Was forced to retire in the 2013 race in Moscow following a collision
I can hardly wait to finally arrive at the next race. The rounds before the Norisring were very successful for me and Id like to continue that string now as soon as possible.
Edoardo Mortara (27/I), Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
Arrives at Moscow as the driver at the front of the pack chasing the leader of the standings
In 2013, was turned around on track at Moscow on lap one
Ive now had three really good races in succession, so Im optimistic for Moscow as well. Even though I personally had a really bad weekend there last year, Mike (Rockenfeller) and Mattias (Ekström) showed whats possible and that the track suits our car.
Nico Müller (22/CH), Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
Has previously run in a formula race on the long track configuration
Drove the second-fastest lap of all Audi drivers at the Norisring
Ive previously contested a race in a single-seater on the long track configuration. The circuit is very fluid and fits our DTM cars well. The spectators can expect to see a thrilling race and Im hoping that a large number of fans will turn out again at the Moscow Raceway.
Mike Rockenfeller (30/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #1 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
Clinched the pole position and won the race last year
Became a father for the first time one day after the Norisring race
With the pole position and victory in 2013 I had a dream weekend at Moscow. Obviously, my wish is to be able to give the right response there following two difficult races. With a little bit more fortune concerning a few minor issues well have good chances of being in contention at the front again.
Timo Scheider (35/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #2 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
Has had the signatures of all the mechanics painted on his helmet
As driver representative, supported the option of the long track configuration
Driving a DTM car on the Moscow Raceway is huge fun. The grip level is very high and on the new track configuration weve now got a nice long straight with good overtaking opportunities. Yes, traveling there is a bit difficult. But once youre there youll tremendously enjoy it.
Adrien Tambay (23/F), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #16 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
Is one of two drivers in the field to have scored points in all races so far
In 2013, missed a podium place at Moscow by only 0.8 seconds
Ive got very fond memories of the debut last year where I advanced from position 14 to fourth place and set the fastest race lap in the process. Ive scored points in all four races so far Id like to continue like this.
The Audi drivers in the 2014 DTM
Mattias Ekström (S): * July 14, 1978 in Falun (S); residence: Salenstein (CH); single (partner Heidi), one son (Mats); one daughter (Hanna); height: 1.83 m; weight: 79 kg; Audi driver since 1999; DTM races: 138; pole positions: 19; victories: 17; fastest laps: 13; points: 718; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result DTM Moscow: 2
Jamie Green (GB): * June 14, 1982 in Leicester (GB); residence: Monaco (MC); married to Ginny, two sons (Zachary and William); height: 1.78 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2013; DTM races: 97; pole positions: 7; victories: 8; fastest laps: 13; points: 420.5; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Moscow: 6
Miguel Molina (E): * February 17, 1989 in Barcelona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 64 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 45; pole positions: 2; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 2; points: 79; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Moscow:
Edoardo Mortara (I): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH); engaged; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 34; pole positions: 1; victories: 2; fastest laps: 0; points: 145; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Moscow:
Nico Müller (CH): * Feb 25, 1992 in Thun (CH); residence: Blumenstein (CH); single (partner Lara); height: 1.85 m; weight: 73 kg; Audi driver since 2014; DTM races: 4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0; fastest laps: 1; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Moscow:
Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Landschlacht (CH); married to Susanne, one son (Phil); height: 1.75 m; weight: 68 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 75; pole positions: 3; victories: 3; fastest laps: 3; points: 336; DTM titles: 1 (2013); best result DTM Moscow: 1 (2013)
Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 10, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single (partner Jessica), one son (Loris-Romeo); height: 1.78 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2006; DTM races: 143; pole positions: 11; victories: 6; fastest laps: 9; points: 419; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result DTM Moscow: 9
Adrien Tambay (F): * Feb 25, 1991 in Paris (F); residence: Lochau (A); single; height: 1.81 m; weight: 69 kg; Audi driver since 2012; DTM races: 24; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 1; points: 86; DTM titles: 0; best result DTM Moscow: 4
DTM drivers standings after four of ten rounds
1 Marco Wittmann (BMW) 58 points
2 Edoardo Mortara (Audi) 39 points
3 Mattias Ekström (Audi) 35 points
4 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 35 points
5 Adrien Tambay (Audi) 28 points
6 Miguel Molina (Audi) 26 points
7 Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) 25 points
8 Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz) 25 points
9 Jamie Green (Audi) 24 points
10 Bruno Spengler (BMW) 23 points
11 Augusto Farfus (BMW) 14 points
12 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz) 12 points
13 Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz) 10 points
14 Timo Glock (BMW) 10 points
15 Timo Scheider (Audi) 9 points
16 Maxime Martin (BMW) 8 points
17 Martin Tomczyk (BMW) 8 points
18 Joey Hand (BMW) 7 points
19 António Félix da Costa (BMW) 4 points
20 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 4 points
DTM manufacturers standings
1 Audi 196 points
2 BMW 132 points
3 Mercedes-Benz 76 points
DTM teams standings
1 Audi Sport Team Abt 67 points
2 BMW Team RMG 66 points
3 Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline 61 points
4 Audi Sport Team Phoenix 44 points
5 Original-Teile Mercedes AMG 37 points
6 BMW Team Schnitzer 31 points
7 EURONICS/FREE MANS WORLD Mercedes AMG 29 points
8 Audi Sport Team Rosberg 24 points
9 BMW Team RBM 21 points
10 BMW Team MTEK 14 points
11 gooix Mercedes AMG 10 points
Audi
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