Grand finale for the Audi A4 DTM

Grand finale for the Audi A4 DTM

􀀁 Last race for the top seller before the model change

􀀁 Martin Tomczyk travels to Hockenheim as new champion

􀀁 Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline battles for team title

Ingolstadt, October 14, 2011 – 43 pole positions, 31 fastest race laps, 34

victories and five champion’s titles – this is the impressive track record of the Audi

A4 DTM since its debut in April 2004 at Hockenheim. The venue at which AUDI

AG’s top seller contested its first DTM race will now also see the final grand

appearance of this successful model.

The DTM finale at the Hockenheimring from October 21 to 23 will mark the 84th

and – for the time being – last racing commitment for the Audi A4 DTM in the most

popular international touring car racing series. In 2012 a set of new Technical

Regulations will come into effect in the DTM, which provides for the fielding of twodoor

coupes. The A4 DTM will be replaced by the A5 DTM that celebrated its world

debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September and will be doing a

“trial” lap at Hockenheim together with its future competitors directly before the

start of the DTM race.

Fans can not only look forward to the new A5 DTM though. The finale itself promises

to deliver suspense galore despite the well-deserved early title win by Martin

Tomczyk from Audi Sport Team Phoenix. Mattias Ekström, the 2004 and 2007 DTM

Champion, is ranking only two points behind Bruno Spengler in the standings and

thus has good chances of winning the “vice champion’s” title – particularly since the

Swede is in supreme form at the moment. He won three of the last four races and

finished as the runner-up once.

For Ekström’s squad the race at Hockenheim will still be about winning the team

classification. Before the last race Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline has a five-point

advantage and thus the chance of winning this title for the third time, after 2004

and 2007. All points scored by Ekström and his team-mate Mike Rockenfeller will be

added to the team’s tally. Their rivals are Gary Paffett and Bruno Spengler.

The “Rookie of the Year” title has already been decided. It will go to Edoardo

Mortara from Audi Sport Team Rosberg. The Italian who lives in Switzerland has

scored as many as 21 points in his first DTM career – more than all of the other four

newcomers combined.

Another Audi racer – Filipe Albuquerque – is the second-best rookie. The Portuguese

most recently shone at Valencia as the runner-up. This means that no fewer than

seven different Audi drivers mounted the podium this year – which clearly shows the

good balance of the 2011 Audi driver squad.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich is now faced with the tough task of

forming the squad for the 2012 DTM season from this high-caliber line-up.

Therefore, every single one of them will give everything at the finale to leave a good

impression and to recommend himself for the new A5.

Martin Tomczyk has already done so a long time ago. The new DTM Champion will

start into the finale with a large “1” displayed on the roof of his Audi A4 DTM – a

greeting from Audi’s partner Schaeffler to the new champion. The 29-year-old has

definitely earned the “1” after this season. Three times he was on the top of the

podium, seven times on the podium in total, none of the races saw him finish below

fifth place and at Valencia he immediately converted his first “match ball.”

Accordingly, Tomczyk can tackle the race at Hockenheim in a relaxed manner and

enjoy the final showing of the Audi A4 DTM, the race touring car that – after Mattias

Ekström and Timo Scheider – has now also helped him achieve the DTM title and so

far greatest success in his career.

The final appearance of the Audi A4 DTM will be broadcast live by ARD on “Das

Erste”: Coverage of qualifying on Saturday (October 22) will start at 1:40 p.m. and

of the race on Sunday (October 23) at 1:45 p.m. (local times).

Other topics of the weekend

􀀁 Will Martin Tomczyk be able to complete his string of top-five results?

􀀁 Will another Audi driver – Miguel Molina manage a podium finish?

􀀁 Will Rahel Frey be able to achieve a highlight at the end of the season?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “I’m convinced that the DTM

finale at Hockenheim will be a tremendous race. There are many who are still

viewing the event as a chance to present themselves for the 2012 season by winning

this season’s finale. I do think though that it’ll be difficult there to keep Mattias

Ekström in his current form from being in contention for victory again. This means

that the outcome is completely open and it’s definitely well worth for the fans to

travel to the DTM finale – not least because they’ll be able to see the new DTM cars

2012 there in action on a race track for the first time.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “Hockenheim is

an important race for us because there are still quite a few things for us to clinch

there: the runner-up spot for Mattias Ekström and the team title for Audi Sport

Team Abt Sportsline. Everyone can drive freely, and if we should win the official

team title, there’ll be a party again. That would be a nice way for us to close the

season.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “We’ve got a race without

pressure coming up because we’ve already won the title. Martin (Tomczyk) can start

from the grid with a feeling of relief and we’ll be working with a feeling of relief.

That way, we can also achieve a lot on one of Martin’s favorite tracks. And we

definitely want to move Rahel (Frey) forward once more. She knows this track very

well. At Valencia she had to step back a bit at the pit stops, so now we want to give

something back to her.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “Hockenheim will be

fantastic. The championship has been decided; everything will be more relaxed;

everyone will be driving without tactical considerations. And this is the home race

for Audi Sport Team Rosberg from Neustadt an der Weinstraße. The track suits us

and both drivers have already been on the podium in their first DTM season. After

having clinched three consecutive podium finishes and two third places plus a

second place I’d like to win for a change.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Filipe Albuquerque (26/P), TV Movie Audi A4 DTM #18 (Audi Sport Team

Rosberg)

􀀁 By taking position two on the grid and finishing the race as the runner-up

experienced his breakthrough at Valencia

􀀁 Between Valencia and Hockenheim helped Greg Franchi win the Blancpain

Endurance Series in the Audi R8 LMS of the WRT team

“I’m hoping for things to be going better for me at Hockenheim than they did at the

beginning of the season. I learned a lot in my first DTM season. And the result at

Valencia came at the right time. That gives me a personal boost and the team, too,

knows what we can achieve. We’re competing there without pressure. Maybe we’ll

clinch a podium, and if not, then at least a place in the points. That should be

realistic.”

Mattias Ekström (33/S), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt

Sportsline)

􀀁 After his third victory this season, still has good chances of taking the “vice

champion’s” title

􀀁 Was the runner-up at the Hockenheim season opener

􀀁 Most recently, at Valencia, started from the top spot on the grid

“It’s always nice to travel to Hockenheim. It will conclude the season. This time I’m

arriving there completely relaxed and will try to deliver a solid performance. I want

to clinch another good result before we can look forward to the winter break and the

tests with the new A5 DTM.”

Rahel Frey (25/CH), Glamour Audi A4 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)

􀀁 With a 14th-place finish achieved her second-best result of the season at

Valencia

􀀁 In qualifying most recently in Spain was quicker than Susie Stoddart

􀀁 Is completing her first DTM season with Audi at Hockenheim

“I’m tremendously looking forward to Hockenheim. That’ll be the grand finale. We

already drove there at the beginning of the year. I want to make another step

forward. We’ll continue to work hard. My last third of the race at Valencia was very

good. But the result didn’t match my performance. So we’ll give everything again to

see a great ending of the season. After that, we’ll have the big party.”

Oliver Jarvis (27/GB), Audi Sport performance cars A4 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team

Abt)

􀀁 At Valencia, scored points for the third time this year

􀀁 Is completing his fourth season with Audi at Hockenheim

“Now the last race of the season is coming up. The championship has already been

won, ‘well done’ to Martin (Tomczyk)! We can all attack again. I want to finish the

season with a good result.”

Miguel Molina (22/E), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Abt Junior)

􀀁 At his home round in Spain took fifth place as his best result of the season

􀀁 Scored points for the second consecutive time

􀀁 Drove his 20th DTM race at Valencia

“Hockenheim is a track I like. That’s where I drove my first DTM race. It’s a good

opportunity to show once more what’s possible. I scored points at Valencia and I

want to do that again at Hockenheim.”

Edoardo Mortara (24/I/F), Playboy Audi A4 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)

􀀁 As the best newcomer in the season’s standings cannot be overtaken by any

other rookie anymore

􀀁 Has already clinched two podium results in the second half of the season

􀀁 Celebrated victory at the Formula 3 finale at Hockenheim last year

“I think that I could manage a pretty good result at the finale. Pure speed was very

good in the past few races. The new Audi A4 DTM is excellent. In qualifying though

I’m still making too many mistakes. If I improve, then a really good event is

possible. That would be important after the disappointing Valencia weekend.”

Mike Rockenfeller (27/D), E-POSTBRIEF Audi A4 DTM #9 (Audi Sport Team Abt

Sportsline)

􀀁 Started from the first row and mounted the podium at Hockenheim last year

􀀁 Has 50 DTM races under his belt

􀀁 Ranking in fifth place of the standings, wants to close the season with a good

result

“I want to drive another good race at our season finale. The past races were a bit

difficult. I’ve got something to make up at Hockenheim because at the first race of

the year we had a defect on the car there. The race wasn’t much to write home

about, but qualifying went well. I’m hoping for my car to be exactly the way I need it

to be, and then I’d like to win there.”

Timo Scheider (32/D), AUTO TEST Audi A4 DTM #4 (Audi Sport Team Abt)

􀀁 Drove the fastest race lap at Valencia

􀀁 Scheider is the only Audi driver so far to have won the Hockenheim finale, three

years ago

􀀁 Started from position one at Hockenheim last fall

“Hockenheim will be the grand finale. It means free driving for us. We can still win

the team championship for Abt. This has to be our goal. And my personal interest is

to win a race. It would be nice if I could still manage that at the finale.”

Martin Tomczyk (29/D), Schaeffler Audi A4 DTM #14 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)

􀀁 Will arrive at Hockenheim as the early title winner

􀀁 The Bavarian is the only driver to have scored points at each round

􀀁 The new champion is aiming for his eighth podium finish at the tenth race

“Arriving at Hockenheim as DTM Champion will be a new experience for me. It’s a

nice track and great conclusion for the DTM. Audi is still battling for a couple of

things. Mattias (Ekström) can still become the runner-up and Audi Sport Team Abt

Sportsline can still win the team championship. There’s no doubt that everyone will

be trying to make a few more marks, and to run at the very front of the field.”

The Audi drivers in the 2011 DTM

Filipe Albuquerque (P): * Jun 13, 1985 in Coimbra (P); residence: Coimbra (P);

single; height: 1.74 m; weight: 64 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 9; pole

positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 9; DTM titles:

0; best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: –

Mattias Ekström (S): * Jul 14, 1978 in Falun (S); residence: Salenstein (CH); single

(partner Heidi), one son (Mats); height: 1.83 m; weight: 79 kg; Audi driver since

2001; DTM races: 113; pole positions: 18; victories: 17; fastest laps: 12; points:

531; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: 2

Rahel Frey (CH): * Feb 23, 1986 in Niederbipp (CH); residence: Aedermannsdorf

(CH); single; height: 1.63 m; weight: 50 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 9;

pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 12th place) fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM

titles: 0; best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: –

Oliver Jarvis (GB): * Jan 09, 1984 in Burwell (GB); residence: Ermatingen (CH);

single; height: 1.80 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2008; DTM races: 41; pole

positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 54; DTM

titles: 0; best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: 6

Miguel Molina (E): * Feb 17, 1989 in Girona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single;

height: 1.75 m; weight: 62 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 20; pole

positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 20; DTM

titles: 0; best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: –

Edoardo Mortara (I/F): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH);

single; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 9; pole

positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 3rd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 21; DTM

titles: 0; best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: –

Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH);

single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 50; pole

positions: 1; victories: 1; fastest laps: 2; points: 69; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM

finale Hockenheim: 3

Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 11, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single,

(partner Jessica), one son (Loris); height: 1.78 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since

2006; DTM races: 118; pole positions: 9; victories: 6; fastest laps: 8; points: 353;

DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: 1

Martin Tomczyk (D): * Dec 07, 1981 in Rosenheim (D); residence: Aesch/Basel (CH);

single (partner Christina); height: 1.88 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2001;

DTM races: 112; pole positions: 8; victories: 7; fastest laps: 6; points: 313; DTM

titles: 1 (2011); best result, DTM finale Hockenheim: 2

2011 DTM point standings

1 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) 64 points

2 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz) 51 points

3 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) 49 points

4 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) 34 points

5 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) 26 points

6 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz) 25 points

7 Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz) 21 points

8 Edoardo Mortara (Audi A4 DTM) 21 points

9 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 21 points

10 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) 13 points

11 Filipe Albuquerque (Audi A4 DTM) 9 points

12 Miguel Molina (Audi A4 DTM) 5 points

13 Maro Engel (Mercedes-Benz) 5 points

14 Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz) 4 points

15 Tom Kristensen (Audi A4 DTM) 2 points

16 David Coulthard (Mercedes-Benz) 1 point

2011 DTM season interim statistics

Victories: Audi 7; Mercedes-Benz 2

Pole positions: Audi 5; Mercedes-Benz 4

Fastest laps: Audi 5; Mercedes-Benz 4

Leading laps: Audi 315; Mercedes-Benz 145

Audi DTM statistics

Pole positions: 63

Victories: 61

Fastest laps: 52

Champion’s titles: 8 (1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)

All Hockenheim winners (finale)

2000 Uwe Alzen (Opel)/Uwe Alzen (Opel)

2001 Bernd Mayländer (Mercedes-Benz)

2002 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)

2003 Jean Alesi (Mercedes-Benz)

2004 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)

2005 Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)

2006 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)

2007 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)

2008 Timo Scheider (Audi)

2009 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)

2010 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz)

Track info

Track length: 4.574 km

Race distance: 38 laps = 173.812 km

DTM qualifying record on this track: Mattias Ekström (Audi), 1m 32.244s = 178.509

km/h (October 25, 2008)

DTM race record on this track: Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 33.576s =

175.968 km/h (October 26, 2008)

Pole position 2010: Timo Scheider (Audi), 1m 37.399s = 138.088 km/h (October

16, 2010)*

Fastest lap 2010: Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 20.120s = 167.868 km/h

(October 17, 2010)*

Turnout 2010: 140,000

TV live rating 2010: 1.41 million/9.4 % market share (source: ARD)

* Track version: 3.736 km

Mattias Ekström about Hockenheim: “Coming to Hockenheim in the fall always gives you a

feeling of being at the finale. Since Hockenheim is the track that we race at twice a year, I

know it like the back of my hand. Every bump, every stone and all the kerbs are implanted in

my memory. To a large extent the track is distinctly fast. It does, however, have a few slow

corners like those in the Motodrom. Anyone wanting to see overtaking maneuvers should sit

somewhere in the middle sector of the track. Spectators enjoy a unique atmosphere in the

Motodrom. This section is also very emotional for the drivers. I always associate great

moments with Hockenheim: In 2004 I arrived as champion; in 2007 I left Hockenheim as

champion. It’s obviously a great feeling.”

2010 flashback

In front of an impressive turnout of 140,000 spectators (throughout the weekend)

Audi put two drivers on the podium at the DTM finale. Timo Scheider as the runnerup

achieved his best result of the season. Mike Rockenfeller, at his 40th DTM race,

managed a podium finish for the second time in his DTM career. Scheider and

Rockenfeller had started from the front row in their Audi A4 DTM cars but had to

admit defeat in the end to Paul Di Resta who was running on a different strategy

and made his pit stops at a later time. Mattias Ekström became entangled in a mass

collision on the starting lap and thus lost his last chance of winning the title.

2010 Results

1 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz) 47 laps in 1h 07m 27.578s

2 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) + 10.532s

3 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) + 14.702s

4 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) + 19.541s

5 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) + 20.006s

6 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) + 20.337s

Timetable

Friday, 21 October

09:00–09:30 Roll-out

09:30–09:35 Starting practice

13:00–14:30 Free practice 1

10/10

14:30–14:35 Starting practice

Saturday, October 22

09:25–10:55 Free practice 2

13:40–14:50 Qualifying

Sunday, October 23

09:30–10:00 Warm-up

14:00 Race

TV schedule

Saturday, October 22

13:40–15:05 Qualifying

Sunday, October 23

13:45–15:40 Race

Audi Sport/For Acreditated and Autorized Press Members.