Audi driver Rockenfeller at Nürburgring as series leader

Ingolstadt, August 9, 2013 – Round seven at the Nürburgring (August 16 to 18) marks the beginning of the hot phase in the battle for the DTM title. 100 points are yet to be awarded and Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller is traveling to the Eifel with a 27-point advantage. ‘

Rocky’ grew up in a place just half an hour away from the ‘Ring’ – accordingly, he and Audi Sport Team Phoenix, with its home base at the Nürburgring, are looking forward to the event with particularly eager anticipation.

From the adventure in Moscow the DTM is now moving on to the Eifel. The race at the Nürburgring ranks among the classic events on the calendar. The DTM has seen numerous gripping races there, exotic premieres like a night-time qualifying session, plus six Audi victories in total since the comeback in 2000.

Mattias Ekström, Dieter Gass, head of Audi DTM, and Mike Rockenfeller

Photo by: Audi Communications Motorsport

This is particularly true for the Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Scheider, who grew up near the circuit and for whom the Nürburgring is thus their home track. ‘

Rocky’ has the chance of making another pinpoint landing in the battle for the title in front of many friends and fans.

Following his second victory of the season in Moscow, the Audi driver is traveling to his home round with an advantage of 27 points over the reigning Champion Bruno Spengler. Audi Sport Team Phoenix, which fields the Audi RS 5 DTM cars of Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina, only has to cross a road to get from its base in Meuspath to the paddock.

This year, the DTM is again using the 3.629-kilometer short configuration of the Grand Prix circuit on 49 laps. The circuit offers two sections – the start-finish straight in front of the first turn and the back-straight in front of the chicane – in which the Drag Reduction System (DRS) effectively supports overtaking maneuvers. This promises a thrilling race Sunday.

Dieter Gass (Head of DTM): “Despite leading the standings we’ve got no reason whatsoever to relax and lean back. We last saw at Moscow how quickly you can finish out of the points while the rival takes the full score. So, at the Nürburgring, we need to continue to work with concentration and by delivering our next strong team performance cause Mike (Rockenfeller) to score as many points as possible.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “The success at Moscow, where all four of our drivers scored, was good for the whole squad. You can really feel how hot the guys are to up the ante at the Nürburgring. Our team has won an amazing six DTM races in the Eifel, including our first ever victory in the DTM. Now, scoring the seventh victory at the seventh round of the season would be a perfect fit.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “Following the adventure at Moscow, we’re now competing at a venue that’s right on our doorstep. Naturally, this enormously helps us in our preparations. With the current tailwind I’d like to reward our many fans in the Eifel at bit because the results in recent years haven’t been the optimum yet.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “The time between the return from Moscow and the race at the Nürburgring is short, so the whole squad will have a few rough days. For Team Rosberg, the Eifel race is to become the turning point of the season. We’d like to finally be in contention at the front of the field again.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Filipe Albuquerque (28/P), Audi Financial Services RS 5 DTM #6 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg). Started from position three at the Nürburgring last year. • 2013 marks his third season of competing for Audi Sport Team Rosberg. "“The Nürburgring is a track I like very much. I’ve got many fond memories of the circuit – for instance from last year when I had a very good qualifying session. My wish is to achieve this again, and more.”"

Mattias Ekström (35/S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #11 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline). Has won at the Nürburgring twice in his DTM career. • Started from the pole position in the Eifel three times – more than any other driver in the current field. "“I’ve celebrated many successes at the Nürburgring and am looking forward to returning to the Eifel.

At the moment, I’m feeling more comfortable in the cockpit and the team than I have in a long time. That’s why I think that we’ve got good chances of winning the next big trophy. My aim is to win the race.”"

Jamie Green (31/GB), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM #12 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline). At Moscow, scored points for the second time in the 2013 season.• Finished in the top five at the Nürburgring an amazing five times. "“Audi has often been very successful at the Nürburgring. And this year again, we seem to be on a roll at the moment. It’s a nice feeling to travel to a race knowing that you can win. We’d like to use this positive mood for a good result.”"

Miguel Molina (24/E), Audi RS 5 DTM #20 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix). Has had a second residence at the Nürburgring since the beginning of the season.• In 2013, is competing for Audi Sport Team Phoenix in the second year. "“Aside from the Norisring for Audi, the Nürburgring is the home race for our Phoenix squad.

The team is based there, Mike (Rockenfeller) is from there and I’m personally spending most of my time during the season in the Eifel as well. So it’ll be a special race for us. I’d like to continue the upward trend from qualifying at Moscow and battle for a good result.”"

Edoardo Mortara (26/F/I), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg). As the runner-up at the Nürburgring last year, was the best Audi driver. • Started from the front row in the Eifel in 2012. "“Last year, as the runner-up, I was the best Audi driver at the Nürburgring.

This year, unfortunately, we’ve experienced several rough weekends, most recently another one at Moscow. I’m wishing for two clear days and, finally, something like a small coup for our squad.”"

Mike Rockenfeller (29/D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix). Extended his lead of the standings from two to 27 points at Moscow. • Has never won his home race in the Eifel so far. "“The Nürburgring is the home race for my team and me and thus something like a small highlight of the season. Of course, I’m wishing for the car, the set-up and the strategy to work as perfectly again as they last did when we took victory at Moscow."

Timo Scheider (34/D), AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM #23 (Audi Sport Team Abt). Started 17 times at the Nürburgring in his DTM career – more than any other driver in the current field. Hails from the town of Lahnstein, about an hour’s drive from the Nürburgring. “"For me, the race at the Nürburgring is a home round I’m very much looking forward to.

Many friends, relatives and fans will be there – that makes the atmosphere very special. I finally scored some points again in the last race at Moscow. My aim is to up the ante as much as possible in order to thank the many fans for their support in a respectable manner.”"

Adrien Tambay (22/F), Audi ultra RS 5 DTM #24 (Audi Sport Team Abt). Set the first fastest race lap in his DTM career at Moscow. • In fourth place, scored the first points in the 2013 season in Russia. "“For me, personally, the race at Moscow was something like a re-launch this season. I finally scored the first points and am very relieved about that. I know the Nürburgring well and have won there before. So there’s nothing that speaks against the next good DTM weekend.”"

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