Audi drivers look forward to Oschersleben
Ingolstadt/Oschersleben -- Only two weeks after the Dutch DTM round in
the dunes of Zandvoort the most popular international touring car racing
series returns to Germany -- or putting it more precisely, to East
Germany: The Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will play host to the fifth
round of the 2009 DTM season on August 2.
Almost all Audi drivers have particularly fond memories of the circuit
situated in the "Borde" flatlands near Magdeburg -- especially Tom
Kristensen, who contested four DTM races at Oschersleben, starting to
each one from the front row and finishing twice at the very top of the
podium. Similar to his nickname "Mister Le Mans," the eight-time Le Mans
winner is often called "King of Oschersleben" by fans.
Mattias Ekstrom is another driver who enjoys returning to Oschersleben
again and again -- although the Motorsport Arena is one of the circuits
on which the two-time DTM Champion has not yet clinched victory.
Nevertheless, the Swede has a positive Oschersleben track record: The
Audi driver has started there six times so far, and each time he finished
in the points.
For Timo Scheider, Oschersleben evokes very special feelings: The
reigning champion celebrated his long awaited first victory at a DTM race
in the Magdeburg flatlands last year. The win made him take the lead of
the standings which he successfully defended up to the finale at
Hockenheim.
Martin Tomczyk has good memories of the Motorsport Arena as well: As many
as two times the Bavarian started from the front row there. In 2004 and
2008 he completed one-two wins for Audi by finishing both races as the
runner-up.
But not only the drivers of the current Audi A4 DTM cars enjoy returning
to this circuit -- in 2007, Mike Rockenfeller in a year-old car
sensationally started to what was just his second DTM race from the front
row and in the race secured third place after a captivating duel with
Mika Hakkinen. Last year, Oliver Jarvis shone with grid position four --
also achieved at his DTM run. Markus Winkelhock took his first DTM points
in 2008 at Oschersleben; Alexandre Premat just barely missed scoring
points after a strong race.
Katherine Legge is particularly taken with the circuit at the Motorsport
Arena. And she is at the wheel of the Audi A4 DTM in which Timo Scheider
won at Oschersleben last year. It was the third Oschersleben exploit for
the brand with the four rings since its comeback as a manufacturer in the
2004 season.
To ensure that nothing is left to chance, Mattias Ekstrom and Timo
Scheider tested at Misano, Italy, between the races at Zandvoort and
Oschersleben because the first four rounds of the 2009 season have shown
that the DTM field is even more competitive this year than it was last
year. To the spectators' delight, predictions are nearly impossible.
Quotes before the DTM race at Oschersleben
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "I hope that the feathers
ruffled after the race at Zandvoort will have smoothed again before
Oschersleben. I'm convinced that the spectators will again get to see an
exciting race because experience has shown that the time gaps at
Oschersleben are particularly close. I think that every one of our nine
'factory' drivers has a chance of finishing on the podium. The 50th
victory of an Audi in the DTM continues to be our goal. But despite our
positive Oschersleben track record we will not underestimate our rivals.
Mercedes was unexpectedly strong most recently at Zandvoort -- primarily
Gary Paffett of course."
Mattias Ekstrom (Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #5): "I like driving at
Oschersleben. Compared to the competition, we will have a weight
advantage. And the circuit suits our car. Although I was always fast on
this track I've never clinched victory there. I'll give all I've got
to finally win this year."
Timo Scheider (GW:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM #1): "I took my first
victory in the DTM at Oschersleben. That's why I'll always have special
memories of this circuit. I'm well aware of the dominance which Audi and
I demonstrated there last year. We dominated all the practice sessions,
qualifying, the warm-up and the race there. This means that we definitely
made a special mark. In addition, we have a little weight advantage this
year. That's why I'm going to Oschersleben with a pretty good feeling."
Tom Kristensen (100 Jahre Audi -- A4 DTM #2): "I'm very much looking
forward to Oschersleben and hope that we'll be able to continue our
traditionally good showings there. It's the only circuit on the DTM
calendar on which I've won as many as two times. The track is great and
I'm hoping that it'll also suit our 2009-spec model. Still, it'll be a
very closely fought race which will hopefully produce a victory for
Audi."
Oliver Jarvis (Audi Cup A4 DTM #15): "At Oschersleben I drove my best
qualifying of the season last year. Unfortunately, I collided in the race
with Jamie Green, who hit the rear of my car and turned me around.
Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to going back there. I'm hoping for
us to be fast again, being able to score additional points and achieving
further improvement in the championship."
Martin Tomczyk (Red Bull Cola Audi A4 DTM #6): "Oschersleben will
probably be good. This year, however, Mercedes is difficult to judge
because at Zandvoort they were running well across the entire racing
distance despite their higher weight. But Oschersleben should actually be
a good track for us."
Markus Winkelhock (Playboy Audi A4 DTM #12): "I've got fond memories of
Oschersleben, where I scored my first DTM points last year and also took
my very first Formula 3 pole in the past. It's a circuit that suits me
well, even though its characteristics are not necessarily favorites of
mine. I prefer driving on fast and fluid tracks. But I always managed
handling Oschersleben well and am hoping that things will continue going
well."
Mike Rockenfeller (S line Audi A4 DTM #11): "In the past two years
Oschersleben was a good track for my team and me. The circuit suits me,
and it should be suiting the car as well. That's why I'm optimistic
about clinching another good result after the disappointing outcome at
Zandvoort. I want to again convert a good qualifying into a good race
result."
Katherine Legge (Audi Collection A4 DTM #21): "I really like the circuit
at Oschersleben -- and my car was very good there last year."
Alexandre Premat (Audi Bank A4 DTM #14): "Oschersleben is a nice circuit
on which I've experienced good tests and races. It's very demanding
from a physical point of view. My goal is clear: I want to score points.
The cars Oliver (Jarvis) and I drive are capable of that. We'll try and
clinch the best result for Phoenix and Audi."
Hans-Jurgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): "We're
all looking forward to Oschersleben. The circuit really suits us well and
we've got a small advantage as far as additional weight goes. In the
point standings we're close to the leader, Gary Paffett. I'm hoping for
a thrilling race."
Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): "The performances at
Zandvoort are a great base to build on, even though in the end the result
was not what we'd been looking for after the first laps of the race. If
we go into qualifying with the same level of concentration we showed at
Zandvoort and start as far at the front again, quite a bit will be
possible at Oschersleben."
Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): "Of course I've got
fond memories of Oschersleben because two years ago we were on the front
row of the grid here with 'Rocky' and finished on the podium.
Oschersleben suits our car, so I'm optimistic that we'll take the
momentum from Zandvoort with us. I also have memories of a good GT race
with the Audi R8 LMS when we mounted the podium. It would definitely be
great to be able to repeat that in the DTM."
Facts and figures
Audi clinched its 50th pole position in a DTM race at Zandvoort. At
Oschersleben, Audi has the chance to celebrate its 50th victory in the
DTM ... At each of the last six DTM races an Audi was sitting on the pole
position ... In 2002 and 2003 no DTM races were held at Oschersleben,
since 2004 the circuit in the Magdeburg "Borde" flatlands has been a firm
element on the DTM calendar ... In 2005 the "super pole" qualifying of
the top ten had to be cancelled due to a storm ... Tom Kristensen managed
a "hat-trick" at Oschersleben in 2006: the pole position, fastest lap and
victory ... In 2007 Alexandre Premat and Tom Kristensen were not able to
start at Oschersleben after an accident in the season opener at
Hockenheim ... As usual, ARD will broadcast qualifying and the race live
on "Das Erste."
Tom Kristensen about the circuit at Oschersleben: "Oschersleben is a
fluid track with some fast turns and many directional changes throughout.
I like the circuit. Achieving good lap times requires highly spirited
driving there. You've got to aggressively enter the slow turns in
particular and exit them with a lot of momentum. In addition, the circuit
is very tight. This means there is no room for mistakes. A good vehicle
set-up is particularly important at Oschersleben. The tarmac generally
has relatively low grip, but grip increases with each lap. In rain the
track is very slippery -- particularly in the first turn. The triple
left-hander, which is truly a challenge on each lap, is the most
interesting place."
-credit: audi
