Mattias Ekström gives Audi the first DTM pole of 2012

By Tarek Ramchani

The 2012 DTM season has started at Hockenheim this weekend. Audi immediately did a great job with a stunning pole position for Mattias Ekström and a strong fourth place for Edoardo Mortara.

A very close and fought qualifying session with great battles between the drivers from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz drivers. The qualifying format has changed this year now with four sessions. Only the top four drivers are allowed to compete in the final "Q4", the fourth qualifying session. Two Audi drivers made it to this weekend’s Q4. Edoardo Mortara was the first to do his "one shot" lap. The Audi Sport Team Rsoberg driver made a mistake and that gave him the fourth place on the grid for tomorrow's race. Later it was the turn of Mattias Ekström, the Swede completed a perfect lap of 1:34.680. Eki faced great competition from AMG's Jamie Green. The British driver did a great lap, but wasn't able to prevent the Swedish ace from taking the first pole position of the new season. Audi has placed four of its drivers in the top ten. Mike Rockenfeller from Audi Sport Team Phoenix qualified in a good fifth. Timo Scheider the two times DTM champion was eighth. The other Audi drivers were twelfth with Adrian Tambay, fourteenth with Filipe Albuquerque, seventeenth with Miguel Molina and twenty-second with Rahel Frey.

Audi has done a great job in qualifying. Ekstrom will start from pole, with both Mortara and Rockenfeller not far behind. Audi has a great chance to take the victory for tomorrow's race

Full qualifying results

Photo Credits: Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

Edoardo Mortara - Audi A5 DTM - Audi Sport Team Rosberg

Mike Rockenfeller - Audi A5 DTM - Audi Sport Team Phoenix

Video: Official 2012 DTM season trailer

By Johan Laubscher

The 2012 DTM season is holding a lot in store for motorsport fans. It is the first season that will have brand new cars since 2009. AND most importantly it is the first time since 1992 that Germany’s top three manufacturers will be battling it out for glory in the top German Touring Car formula. Audi versus Mercedes-Benz versus BMW. It will  be a year to remember. Watch the official 2012 DTM season trailer bellow, it will make you even more excited for the first round which is less than a week away. Enjoy:

2012 DTM season trailer

More Information:

DTM official website

DTM official FB page

DTM preview: Start into a new era

DTM Press Release

The introduction of the new Technical Regulations and the return of the BMW brand with a factory commitment in 2012 mark the beginning of a new era for the DTM. For the first time since 1992, the three German premium car brands, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, are competing against each other again in the most popular international touring car series. Ten classification races in five European countries plus the second edition of the big horsepower spectacle at the Munich Olympic Stadium promise to deliver motorsport fascination at the highest level.

The DTM offers several new features for the 2012 season. The most important step no doubt is the introduction of the new Technical Regulations that were developed by the three participating manufacturers in close collaboration with the DTM rights owner and promoter ITR e.V. and the German Motorsport Association (DMSB). The constructive collaboration of all the parties involved in this process is regarded as exemplary in worldwide motorsport. The most important premises for creating the new regulations were cost reduction, optimum safety for the drivers, retention of the race cars’ fascination and maximum equality of opportunity for all participants.

Successes were achieved in all of these areas. To help reduce costs, all of the new-generation DTM vehicles share a number of identical parts, albeit these shared parts are limited to components that do not directly influence performance. Consequently, it is still possible for all manufacturers to implement their own technological expertise and ideas in their vehicles. The main component of the DTM safety concept is an innovative carbon fibre safety cell with a mounted roll cage made of high-strength steel. The driver’s seat, the pedals, the steering column and the safety tank are integrated with this cell for optimum protection in case of an accident. Also new are the six crash elements, with one each installed at the front and rear and two each on the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle. These tube-shaped carbon fibre elements help to absorb the energy after a crash.

For the first time since 2003, the DTM in 2012 is again racing with sporty coupés. The Audi A5 DTM, the BMW M3 DTM and the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé with their dynamic, fl at contours sport a more spectacular brawny look than the previous DTM race cars that were based on four-door saloons. Even a few years ago, the British “Autosport” magazine voted the DTM race cars as the most spectacular touring cars worldwide. The new generation raises the benchmark yet again. The significantly larger tyres of the series’ exclusive tyre partner Hankook contribute to the impressive appearance of the new DTM vehicles as well. Last but not least, the new Technical Regulations assure equal opportunities for all entrants. Compliance is monitored by the experts of the German Motorsport Association.

Another change in the 2012 season concerns the points system. For the first time, the DTM is using the system known from Formula 1 that awards points to the top ten in the overall classification of a race. With 25 points the winner now clearly receives a higher score than in the past. Points for positions two to ten are: 18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.

This year, the DTM calendar again encompasses ten classification races in five countries. Traditionally, the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg is the venue of the DTM season opener and finale. In addition, the DTM is represented with races at the Lausitzring, the Norisring in Nuremberg, the Nürburgring and at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in the north, east, south and west of Germany. The calendar is complemented by four races in other European countries. Like last year, the DTM in 2012 is again racing at the tradition-steeped circuits of Brands Hatch in Great Britain and Zandvoort in the Netherlands, at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, that was reopened last year plus at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo near the Spanish city of Valencia.

After the extremely successful premiere last year, the spectacular DTM event at Munich’s Olympic Stadium on 14 and 15 July will be held for the second time in 2012. The DTM drivers compete against each other in thrilling duels on a purpose-built tarmac track in the stadium. The competitions even include pit stops. In addition, the DTM event features numerous live concerts, driving demonstrations and other activities in a high-calibre entertainment package for the whole family.

For the 2012 season, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have each prepared eight new cars, while new entrant BMW participates with six competition cars. At Audi, as in the previous years, the two two-time DTM Champions Mattias Ekström and Timo Scheider are driving for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, which is also fielding two cars for the Swiss Rahel Frey and the young Frenchman Adrien Tambay. At Audi Sport Team Phoenix, the team that provided the champion Martin Tomczyk last year, Mike Rockenfeller has returned after a year with the Abt team, his team colleague is the Spaniard Miguel Molina. The driver pairing at Audi Sport Team Rosberg - the Italian Edoardo Mortara and the Portuguese Filipe Albuquerque, who are both contesting their second DTM season - has remained unchanged.

At BMW, the Canadian Bruno Spengler and the German Dirk Werner are driving for the long-standing Schnitzer team based in Freilassing, Bavaria. The three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx from Great Britain and the Brazilian Augusto Farfus are competing for the Belgian RBM team, whereas DTM title defender Martin Tomczyk and the American Joey Hand are driving for the RMG squad based in the Eifel region that was newly formed last year.

Mercedes-Benz in 2012 is bringing two new drivers into the DTM - the Spaniard Roberto Merhi and the Canadian Robert Wickens. Merhi won the Formula 3 Euro Series and the FIA Formula 3 Trophy last year. Wickens was the overall winner of Formula Renault 3.5 and has already tested in Formula 1. Together with Christian Vietoris, who is contesting his second DTM season, Merhi and Wickens are forming the DTM Mercedes-Benz Junior Team under the patronage of the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher. Vietoris moves up into the HWA team. His team-mates are the two Britons Gary Paffett and Jamie Green plus Ralf Schumacher. Roberto Merhi drives for the Persson team which is also fi elding a car for the Scot Susie Wolff. Robert Wickens competes for the Mücke Motorsport squad where he will be the new team colleague of the former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard.

“Three days of action for the whole family” is the motto for each DTM event. Friday starts with a 30-minute functional test for the race cars, the so-called roll-out. This is followed by the fi rst 100-minute free practice session. Both after the roll-out and the free practice there are starting practice sessions scheduled for all drivers. On Saturday morning, the second free practice is held, again for 100 minutes. In the early afternoon, the grid positions are determined in four qualifying segments featuring a shoot-out format. The slowest drivers, respectively, are eliminated in the fi rst three sessions. The quickest four then compete for the positions on the two front rows of the grid in the fi nal fourth session featuring single timed runs with a flying lap. On Sunday, there is a 30-minute warm-up in the morning as fi nal preparation for the race that is typically started at 14:00. All participants have to make two mandatory pit stops at each of which the four Hankook tyres have to be changed. Refuelling is no longer permitted as of this season. Admission to the paddock, autograph sessions, driver interviews and pit walks have been integral components of a DTM race weekend for years and signifi cantly contribute to the huge popularity of the touring car series. At all races in Germany, TV partner ARD provides high-calibre trackside live acts as part of its chart show.

The Formula 3 Euro Series, the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup are again the offi cial partner series at most DTM race weekends, complementing the event programme with spectacular motorsport.

100 facts about Audi and the DTM

Audi Press Release

• Just one week to go before the new DTM season starts
• Items of interest about the popular touring car racing series
• Audi competes with new A5 DTM as title defender

On April 29, the DTM season opens at Hockenheim and Audi is starting into it as the title defender and eight-time champion. Here are 100 facts about Audi’s involvement in the most popular international touring car racing series.

Audi in the DTM

1. Audi has won a total of eight DTM titles to date.

2. 2012 marks the 17th DTM season tackled by Audi.

3. The brand with the four rings has so far contested 194 DTM races and won 61 of them. 64 times an Audi racer took the pole position and 53 times the fastest race lap to date was set by an Audi driver.

4. In 1990 and 1991, Audi was the first automobile manufacturer to achieve two consecutive DTM title wins.

5. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, Audi was the first – and has so far remained the only –automobile manufacturer to win the DTM title three times in succession.

6. The Audi V8 quattro won in 1990 at its seventh race, the A4 DTM in 2004 at its third race in the DTM.

7. For eight years, Audi in the most popular international touring car series was relying on its top seller, the A4, that took a total of five DTM titles (in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011).

8. The Audi A4 DTM clinched 34 of the 61 race wins achieved by Audi in the DTM.

9. There have been a total of seven different versions of the Audi A4 DTM: R11 (2004), R12 (2005), R12 plus (2006), R13 (2007), R13 plus (2008), R14 (2009) and R14 plus (2010).

10. From 2006 to 2011, Audi and Mercedes were battling for the DTM title between themselves. The final score: 4–2 for Audi.

11. From 2000 to 2003, the Audi brand was represented in the DTM by the customer team Abt Sportsline that privately fielded coupes based on the Audi TT,  and in 2002 won the title with Laurent Aiello.

Audi A5

12. The A5 DTM forms the new spearhead of the steadily growing A5 family and is based on the latest version of the coupe that can be recognized by its distinctive, wedge-shaped headlights since the most recent product upgrade in summer of 2011.

13. The A5 Coupé has been on the market since 2007, the Cabriolet and Sportback since 2009.

14. The modern engine line-up of the coupe ranges from the particularly fuel-efficient 2.0 TDI with 105 kW (143 hp) to the high-performance V8 with 331 kW (450 hp) in the exceptionally sporty RS 5 Coupé. One of the most interesting engines is the compact high-tech 1.8 TFSI gasoline unit with an average consumption of only 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers.

15. The Audi RS 5 with its 331 kW (450 hp) V8 engine is the top-end model of the A5 range and very popular with the DTM drivers as well: Timo Scheider and Adrien Tambay ordered an RS 5 prior to the start of the season.

A5 DTM

16. After the V8, the TT and the A4, the A5 is the fourth model to be fielded by Audi in the DTM. So far, Audi has clinched at least one title with each model range for Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

17. Length, width, height, wheelbase and overhangs are identical for all DTM vehicles to assure maximum equality of opportunity. Models that do not fit the mold are scaled accordingly. The A5 DTM required almost no scaling versus the production model.

18. An Audi A5 DTM consists of around 4,000 parts – about 50 of them are specification parts prescribed by the DTM regulations for all manufacturers.

19. The Audi A5 DTM bears the internal project name “R17” at Audi Sport.

20. The “R17 project was launched on May 4, 2010.

21. The prototype of the Audi A5 DTM did its first kilometers on the Audi test track in Neustadt on July 29, 2011.

22. The Audi A5 DTM celebrated its world debut on September 12, 2011 as part of the Volkswagen Group Night held before the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

23. Since March 1, 2012 the technology of the DTM vehicles for the 2012 season has been largely frozen.  

24. Around 30,000 test kilometers were reeled off by Audi Sport with the A5 DTM prior to its first racing run.

25. The Audi A5 DTM is 5.01 meters long, 1.95 meters high and 1.15 meters low. All DTM vehicles have an identical wheelbase of 2,750 millimeters.

26. A DTM wheel weighs over 22 kilograms – the teams’ mechanics train at the gym to handle this weight.

27. The current-generation DTM vehicles are regarded as the race touring cars boasting the highest safety standards in motorsport history.

28. The carbon fiber monocoque of the Audi A5 DTM weighs merely 126 kilograms, the roll cage 32.5 kilograms.

29. In the mandatory crash test the side wall of the monocoque has to resist a force of 360 kN, which equates to 36 metric tons or 36 small cars.

30. The requirements specified for the – now 65-centimeter-long – crash absorbers at the front and rear ends of the vehicles have been raised. In addition, a total of four side-impact crash absorbers are installed in the cars for the first time.

31. The A5 DTM is currently using the same engine as its predecessor model, the A4: a V8 with four liters of displacement, around 340 kW (460 hp) and thus comparable performance ratings as the 4.2-liter V8 unit used in the top-of-the-line RS 5.

32. The transmission that is now operated by means of paddle shifters on the steering wheel can achieve a mileage of up to 24,000 kilometers.

33. The steering wheel of the Audi A5 DTM has a diameter of merely 28 centimeters.

34. Unlike the A4 DTM, which still had a steel roof, the Audi A5 DTM has a body made of CFRP.

35. Just like the production model, the Audi A5 DTM has headlights with LED daytime running light. Audi is a trendsetter in the field of LED technology. At the Le Mans 24 Hours, Audi has been the first automobile manufacturer to compete with full LED headlights since last year.

Audi Sport

36. Around 200 employees work for Audi Sport at the two locations Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

37. Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich has been at the helm of Audi Sport since November 1993. In 2004, he led Audi back into the DTM and has clinched the title six times since then.

38. For over 30 years, Audi Sport has been part of the Technical Development division of AUDI AG. This is one of the reasons why the technology transfer between motorsport and production is very intensive at Audi. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich reports directly to Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development.

39. Dieter Gass has been serving in the role of “Head of Racing Commitments” at Audi Sport since January 1, 2012, reporting directly to Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

40. In parallel to the DTM, Audi in 2012 is involved in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the two 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Spa. In total, the Audi Sport squad of around 200 members with support by the partner teams is handling no less than 21 factory racing commitments in the 2012 season.  

41. For 2012, Audi Sport concurrently developed three new race cars:  the A5 DTM, the R18 ultra and the R18 e-tron quattro – the first diesel hybrid vehicle for the Le Mans 24 Hours that marks the return of quattro drive to motorsport. Audi Sport customer racing – with the R8 LMS ultra and the R8 GRAND-AM – contributed two other new customer sport race cars.

Teams

42. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline is fielding four vehicles in the DTM, supported by 53 employees. Audi Sport Teams Phoenix and Rosberg are each entering two Audi A5 DTM cars, with 26 employees being assigned to the DTM commitment by each team.

43. All three Audi Sport teams have been involved in the most popular international touring car racing series ever since the DTM was re-launched in 2000. ABT Sportsline relied on Audi vehicles from the outset. Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg have been partners of Audi Sport since the 2006 season.  

44. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline is based in Kempten in the Allgäu region of Bavaria, Audi Sport Team Phoenix in the industrial park Meuspath near the Nürburgring and Audi Sport Team Rosberg in Neustadt an der Weinstraße.

45. With five DTM driver titles to its credit, Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline is the so far most successful Audi DTM team.

Drivers

46. With an average age of barely 27 years, Audi is competing with the youngest driver line-up of the three manufacturers in the 2012 DTM.

47. Aged 21, the Frenchman Adrien Tambay is the “junior” in Audi’s line-up, Mattias Ekström (33) the “senior.”

48. The Audi drivers in the 2012 DTM season hail from seven different nations (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain). Edoardo Mortara has dual citizenship (Italy/France). Timo Scheider is German but races with an Austrian license.

49. Switzerland is clearly the preferred residence of the Audi drivers. Four of the eight DTM racers live there.

50. With 17 wins under his belt, Mattias Ekström is the brand’s most successful DTM racer in front of Hans-Joachim Stuck (11).

51. Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider and Mike Rockenfeller have achieved all of their previous 24 victories in the DTM at the wheel of Audi vehicles.

52. Six of the eight 2012 Audi DTM drivers have been on the DTM podium at least once.

53. Audi most recently provided the best DTM rookie – Miguel Molina (2010) and Edoardo Mortara (2011) – twice in succession.

54. Mattias Ekström was pleased about the allocation of number “3” to his car. It was the number of the car in which the Swede won his second DTM title in 2007.

55. Filipe Albuquerque and Miguel Molina took German lessons at the Audi Academy in Ingolstadt during the winter.  

56. Tipping the scales at 50 kilograms, Rahel Frey – as could be expected – is the flyweight in the 2012 Audi driver line-up, Mattias Ekström – with 77 kilograms – the heaviest Audi racer.

57. Audi’s 2012 Le Mans driver line-up includes four former DTM racers – Dindo Capello, Oliver Jarvis, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish – and one from the current season, Mike Rockenfeller.

Partners

58. Audi Sport was able to secure the support of a total of 21 partners for its involvement in the 2012 DTM.

59. “Audi Sport performance cars” stands for all high-performance cars from AUDI AG, such as the Audi R8 or the RS models from quattro GmbH.

60. Service plays a crucial role in customer loyalty and retention – the brand with the four rings calls it “Audi Top Service”.

61. Youngster Adrien Tambay advertises “Audi ultra” on his car, referring to the company’s ultra-lightweight design expertise.

62. AUTO TEST is the number one of the monthly car magazines.

63. Computer Bild Spiele is Europe’s leading games magazine.

64. E-POSTBRIEF by the Deutsche Post (German Postal Service) makes convenient and secure online mailing and receipt of letters possible.

65. Cloud computing specialist EMC provides technologies and solutions that support companies in maximizing the use of their existing information.

66. kicker – founded all the way back in 1920 – is the most tradition-steeped German sports magazine. It is published twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.

67. Nintendo is acclaimed for the development of video games and game consoles. Any gamer is arguably familiar with the current consoles, Nintendo 3DS or Wii.

68. Playboy is a men’s and lifestyle magazine with practically worldwide circulation. Currently, there are 28 national issues.

69. By creating the Red Bull energy drink, the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz invented a completely new product category. Red Bull is now available in more than 160 countries.

70. The Schaeffler Group owns the three product brands INA, FAG and LuK. In the strikingly brilliant yellow-green livery of the Schaeffler Group Audi Sport Team Phoenix clinched the DTM driver title for Audi last year.

71. TV Movie is a biweekly program guide published by the Hamburg-based Bauer Media Group.

72. The supra-regional daily “DIE WELT” ranks among the leading European newspapers.

73. Other renowned brands partnering with Audi in the 2012 DTM are Alpinestars, the world’s leading company for high-performance motorsport apparel, spring manufacturer Eibach, beverage suppliers Gerolsteiner and Hofmühl, wheel expert O.Z., watchmaker TAG Heuer and the Würth Group.

Rules

74. For the first time since 2005, the DTM includes a manufacturers classification again, which Audi 2004 decided in its favor once before. The six best vehicles of a manufacturer, respectively, are classified.

75. In the 2012 DTM, points are awarded for the first time according to the system used in Formula 1: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 for positions one to ten.

76. Refueling during DTM races is no longer permitted. The Audi A5 DTM has a 120-liter fuel tank.

77. Each race has two mandatory pit stops for tire changes. A quick pit stop in the DTM takes less than three seconds, the same time it takes the Audi A5 DTM to accelerate from rest to 100 km/h.

78. 14 mechanics perform a DTM pit stop – three per wheel, plus one man with the wand that supplies compressed air to the air jack system in the car and the famous “lollipop man” who directs the A5 to the right position in the pit lane with a sign that looks like an oversized lollipop.

79. The minimum weight of a DTM vehicle was specified at 1,100 kilograms for the 2012 season – including 85 kilograms for the driver. Drivers who weigh less than that have to take appropriate ballast on board.

80. Per race weekend, a driver may use a maximum of 28 unused slicks (14 front and 14 rear tires). 40 tires are permitted for the first weekend.

81. For all DTM events – from the beginning of the first DTM event to the end of the last classification race – a maximum of three engines are permitted per two registered drivers. No mechanical component inside the sealed engines may be worked on, removed or exchanged.

82. Two drivers combined may use a maximum of six sets of brake discs.

83. The length of the free practice sessions was increased to 100 minutes (per each of two sessions) in the 2012 season.

84. In addition to the national flag and the driver’s last name, the so-called “three letter code” that clearly identifies each driver must be displayed on the rear side windows this year. The codes at Audi are: ALB (Albuquerque), EKS (Ekström), FRE (Frey), MOL (Molina), MOR (Mortara), ROC (Rockenfeller), TAM (Tambay), TSC (Scheider).

85. Since the past season, Hankook has been the DTM’s exclusive tire supplier. Compared with last year, the wheels have larger dimensions (12 x 18 instead of 10 x 18 inches at the front and 13 x 18 instead of 11 x 18 inches at the rear axle).

Tracks/events

86. For the third consecutive time, the official season presentation is held in Wiesbaden, the capital of the state of Hesse.

87. The DTM season opener is taking place at the Hockenheimring for the 16th time. Since 1995, the circuit in Baden-Württemberg has been the traditional venue of the first DTM race of the year.

88. At a total of ten classification races, points are awarded in the 2012 season. In addition, like last year, there is a show event at the Munich Olympic Stadium at which two drivers per run compete against each other in a knock-out format.

89. Seven DTM events are held in Germany in 2012; in addition, there are visits to Great Britain, Austria, the Netherlands and Spain.

90. All DTM qualifying sessions and races are broadcast by ARD live on “Das Erste”.

91. According to calculations by Audi Sport the top speed (around 260 km/h) in the 2012 DTM season is reached at the end of the Parabolika at the Hockenheimring. The slowest corner – at around 50 km/h – is turn 1 at the Norisring in Nuremberg.

92. 62,000 spectators on average attended the DTM events last year. On its debut, the show event at the Munich Olympic Stadium immediately attracted 54,000 spectators.

93. On a total of five of the nine DTM tracks, Audi is holding the qualifying record (Hockenheim, Spielberg, Zandvoort, Oschersleben and Valencia).

94. On the Spanish circuit at Valencia, Audi has remained unbeaten in the DTM so far – the same applies to Audi factory driver Mattias Ekström.

95. Audi was most successful in recent years at Zandvoort and Oschersleben with five victories since its return to the DTM with a factory commitment in the 2004 season.

DTM history

96. “DTM” was originally an abbreviation for “Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft.” The three letters subsequently stood for “Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.” “DTM” has meanwhile become an independent trade mark.

97. 2012 marks the 26th season for the DTM – including its international offspring, the “ITC”, in 1996. 269 DTM events with 379 classified races have been held so far in total.

98. The narrowest finishing gap at a DTM race was 0.089 seconds (Norisring 1996), the largest lead 51.96 seconds (Mainz-Finthen 1985).

99. The most commanding victory in the DTM since its re-launch in 2000 was achieved by Mattias Ekström in the Audi A4 DTM 2011 at Oschersleben. After a memorable wet race the Swede crossed the finish line with a 42.167-second advantage.

100. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz last competed against each other at a DTM race on June 18, 1992 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Video: inside Audi Sport preparing for the 2012 DTM season

By Tarek Ramchani

The 2012 DTM season is around the corner. Audi Sport is bringing the brand new Audi A5 DTM also known as the R17. Eight drivers and three teams will be fielded as a factory effort from Audi Sport. Right before the start of the season, Audi tested along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz at both Valencia and Hockenheim.

Have a look at Audi's preparations for the new challenging year.

Part 1

Part 2

Video: Audi presents their 2012 DTM squad

By Johan Laubscher

The much anticipated 2012 DTM season is almost upon us. Audi will be competing this year with eight cars in the DTM with three teams: ABT Sportsline, Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg. All the teams will be using the latest generation Audi DTM car, the Audi A5 DTM “R17”. All the DTM competitors were at Valencia and Hockenheim recently for DTM group tests. Audi has compiled this video from the test wherein the 2012 driver squad is presented. Enjoy:

DTM 2012: first tests - Testing the new race cars



Mattias Ekström Blog: Back to Work

By Mattias Ekström

With the 2012 season about to get under way, the DTM teams are in Hockenheim putting the final touches to their new cars. Here's Mattias Ekström with his first blog of 2012 to tell you how it's going…

Hi everybody,

Long time, no blog. Racing drivers don’t exactly hibernate in the off-season but there really hasn't been that much to talk about. I’ve trained, I’ve tested the new car, I’ve been at home a lot and enjoyed family life… It’s been good, but work is calling now.

This week we’ve been at Hockenheim, taking part in the final pre-season test. I did a whole day of media on Monday, followed by driving on Tuesday and Thursday. I think the car is a good one but it’s just a feeling – we won’t know until qualifying begins for the first race here at Hockenheim in a couple of weeks. I’ve been around far too long to be impressed by times in testing. Everybody’s sandbagging like crazy, so you don’t read too much into it. 

The final test isn’t so much about R&D – we’ve done that already. It's about about fine-tuning our set up for the first race. Or, as we’re back-to-back at Hockenheim and then Lausitz, fine-tuning for the first two races. You have to prepare now if you want to have straightforward race weekends. When everything is new, you can’t take it for granted that you’ll just slip back into the groove. We think strategically, act calmly and focus on what we need to do.

It’s going to be a little bit different this year with BMW coming into DTM. It’s nice when you stand in the pitlane and see the Audi, Mercedes and BWM brands on display. The championship got a big boost from BMW coming in: it’s a big event and it’s nice to be part of it.

But with that comes a change in the competition dynamic. From what I’ve seen and felt during testing, things will be different this year. I think everyone’s taken things a little more seriously during the winter. We always were serious but I think you can feel more tension in the air ahead of this season.

My feeling is that it will be the drivers rather than the cars that make the difference this year. You always need the best combination of both because you're not going to win the championship without the best car. But equally you're not going to win without the best driver.

This year I get the feeling that the new cars will be pretty evenly matched, so the guy behind the wheel will make a big difference and the champion will be the driver who is most consistent. I might be wrong, though. We might have all the Audi A5DTMs at the front – and as an Audi driver I’d love that because it would mean we’ve done a really good job. But I really don’t think one brand will dominate in that way.

We’ll find out in a couple of weeks.

Cheerio,

Mattias

More about Mattias Ekström:

Mattias Ekström official website

Mattias Ekström official Facebook

Red Bull 

The Audi A5 DTM: a high-tech jigsaw puzzle consisting of over 4,000 parts

Audi Press Release

• Three more weeks to go before the new DTM season starts
• Assembly of race cars nearly completed
• Around two weeks of build time for each DTM vehicle

Suspense is building – among the fans and at the team of Audi Sport. In just three weeks from now the 2012 DTM will start at the Hockenheimring, which marks the beginning of a new era for the popular racing series.

V8, TT, A4 – each of the three model ranges with which Audi has previously competed in the DTM ultimately won at least one title. After eight successful years with the A4, the brand with the four rings is banking on a two-door coupe for its factory commitment in the most popular international touring car racing series for the first time: the A5.

The three long-standing Audi Sport teams, Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg, are fielding a total of eight new Audi A5 DTM cars – which means that Audi Sport will be setting an internal record even before the first race, as such a large number of new vehicles has never before been built for a new DTM season. In 2004, on Audi’s return to the DTM with a factory commitment, there were six vehicles. Afterwards, a maximum of four new race cars were built per year.  

In 2012, there will only be new cars in the field – for the first time ever since the DTM’s re-launch in 2000. “Developing a new race car for a new set of Technical Regulations and then duplicating it eight times and assuring the supply of spare parts in the process is a very difficult logistical challenge. This feat could only be achieved by a major effort of the whole Audi squad,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “I’m convinced though that this will pay off, as we’ve got the chance to turn the DTM into the world’s best touring car series this year.”

All three factory teams were involved in the development and track tests of the new Audi A5 DTM right from the beginning and will thus start into the new DTM era with equal opportunities. From the first track tests at the Lausitzring on September 12, 2011 through to the homologation of the A5 DTM on March 1, 2012, they formed a test team together with Audi Sport that reeled off around 30,000 test kilometers. 

Assembly of the race cars at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt

Assembly of the race cars was begun afterwards at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt – performed by the mechanics of the teams. “This way, they’re able to familiarize themselves with even the minutest details of the new cars and are acquiring a certain routine even before the first race,” says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Engineering at Audi Sport. An Audi A5 DTM consists of around 4,000 single parts. It takes five people to assemble one vehicle in a little less than two weeks. In the background, the specialists from Audi Sport take care of the required quality assurance, logistics and pre-assembly of various component units. 

Up to four DTM vehicles can be simultaneously assembled at Audi Sport, in other words one each per two-car team. The assembly process starts with the installation of the monocoque, one of currently 59 components which are identical for all DTM vehicles of the three manufacturers. Then the front end with the engine, the front crash structure and the rear end including the clutch, transmission and the rear crash structure are “married” with the chassis. “This requires extreme care,” stresses Stefan Aicher, Head of Vehicle Design at Audi Sport. The smallest inaccuracy that occurs while putting together the pieces of this high-tech jigsaw puzzle can jeopardize the “title defense” project.  

The finished assembly of the total of eight race cars does not mean that the preparations for the season have been completed though. The spare parts have to be produced and, to some extent, pre-assembled into component units as well. “The logistical effort that is behind the DTM’s re-launch is huge,” says Stephan Köster, Project Manager DTM. When all the cars are on the grid at Hockenheim at 2 p.m. on April 29 (live on “Das Erste”) Audi Sport will already have won the first race – the one before the first race.

Excitement for Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz Prior to Season Start

DTM Press Release

Hockenheim. Four weeks prior to the first season round of the 2012 DTM, the three manufacturers Audi, new entrant BMW and Mercedes-Benz presented themselves to the media at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. In a press conference at the occasion of the final test session before the season opener, Audi’s head of motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt and Mercedes-Benz’s head of motorsport Norbert Haug reported about the new era in the DTM.


Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: “This surely has been one of the most exciting winter seasons I have ever experienced in motorsport. All three manufacturers went to the limits of their performance potential. But it was certainly worth the effort, because with the new regulations, we have created a great basis for the 2012 DTM together. In spite of the control parts, there was sufficient room left for every one of the partners to realise its ambitions. From over 4,000 parts on a DTM car, only 50 are identical for all manufacturers.”

Jens Marquardt: “For us as a newcomer in the series, the past 16 to 18 months were very exciting. Time has shown that three manufacturers standing together while considering their own interests, together with the DMSB, have been able to establish common regulations. Safety has been improved, costs have been reduced, that was our goal.” 

Norbert Haug: “With the third manufacturer and the new regulations, we have achieved a good basis for the DTM. The cars in the DTM have always been spectacular, but the coupés just that little bit more dynamic. We are looking forward to the first race of the season, because that is when it counts. Fans can expect a thrilling season. Pre-sales for the Hockenheim season opener is going really well, as usual. Here, we have already had 35,000 fans in the paddock only. Somehow, Hockenheim is the gamete of the DTM.”

Michael Kramp (press spokesman DMSB): “The new safety cell in the DTM cars certainly is unique. In this area of development, the aim was to optimise safety and to reduce costs. That has been achieved. The safety cell withstands a force of 36 tons. Just to compare this: the FIA requires a resilience of three tons in case of T-bone crashes for sports cars.”

Michael Eckert (Senior Race Tyres Engineer, Hankook): “Contrarily to last year, we had the task of developing an entirely new tyre. This is a ‘real competition tyre’, that combines safety, performance and consistency in an ideal way. After the experience gained last year, the grip of the rain tyres was considerably enhanced thanks to a modified profile and a new rubber compound.”

On the first of four test days at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, the official starting numbers for the 2012 season were allocated. The first DTM race weekend of the season takes place at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg from April 27th till 29th. One week before that, on April 22nd, the DTM presents itself to the fans in Wiesbaden.

Starting Number, Manufacturer, Name

#1, BMW, Martin Tomczyk

#2, BMW, Joey Hand

#3, Audi, Mattias Ekström

#4, Audi, Timo Scheider

#5, Mercedes-Benz, Jamie Green

#6, Mercedes-Benz, Ralf Schumacher

#7, BMW, Bruno Spengler

#8, BMW, Dirk Werner

#9, Audi, Mike Rockenfeller

#10, Audi, MiguelMolina

#11, Mercedes-Benz, Gary Paffett

#12, Mercedes-Benz, Christian Vietoris

#15, BMW, Andy Priaulx

#16, BMW, Augusto Farfus

#17, Audi, Rahel Frey

#18, Audi, Adrien Tambay

#19, Mercedes-Benz, David Coulthard

#20, Mercedes-Benz, Robert Wickens

#21, Audi, Edorardo Mortara

#22, Audi, Filipe Albuquerque

#23, Mercedes-Benz, Roberto Merhi

#24, Mercedes-Benz, Susie Wolff

Audi Sport 2012 Audi A5 DTM Official Liveries

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi Sport unveiled the official 2012 Audi A5 DTM official race cars liveries for the German Touring Car Masters. Eight brand new Audi A5 DTM R17 will enter this DTM season and fielded by three diffrent teams. Audi Sport Team Abt will have four A5 DTM cars. Audi Sport Team Phoenix and Audi Sport Team Rosberg will enter two cars each.

Mattias Ekström (Red Bull Audi A5 DTM)

Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi A5 DTM)

Rahel Frey (E-POSTBRIEF Audi A5 DTM)

Adrien Tambay (Audi ultra A5 DTM)

Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler Audi A5 DTM)

Miguel Molina (Red Bull Audi A5 DTM)

Edoardo Mortara (Playboy Audi A5 DTM)

Filipe Albuquerque (TV Movie Audi A5 DTM)

French Driver Adrian Tambay Joins Audi A5 DTM Squad

Audi Sport Press Release :

• Eighth Audi A5 DTM for youngster Adrien Tambay
• Team-mate of Rahel Frey in Audi Sport Team Abt
• Race against the clock in vehicle preparation

Six weeks before the new DTM season opens at the Hockenheimring on April 29 the decision has been made: Audi will be fielding a total of eight vehicles in the competition with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. By signing the 21-year-old Frenchman Adrien Tambay Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich is yet again giving an opportunity to a promising young driver.

Two-time champion Mattias Ekström, Filipe Albuquerque, Miguel Molina, Edoardo Mortara, Mike Rockenfeller - as many as five examples give proof of AUDI AG’s successful promotion of young talent in the DTM. Now following in these footsteps is Adrien Tambay, the son of the former Formula 1 racer Patrick Tambay. As Rahel Frey’s team-mate in Audi Sport Team Abt, he will be driving one of the total of eight new Audi A5 DTM cars.

"We were poised for fielding eight vehicles in the DTM as early as last year and are assuming that no later than in 2013 all manufacturers will be competing with at least eight cars," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "As we had to develop an extremely challenging hybrid car - the Audi R18 e-tron quattro - for the Le Mans 24 Hours and concurrently a completely new DTM vehicle we were initially planning for seven cars in 2012. I’m happy that the opportunity to enter eight cars has now materialised. I’m convinced that in view of the DTM’s high level it’ll be advantageous to compete with the maximum number of possible cars. The competition will be very close - an additional vehicle also means an additional chance. Plus, an even number makes more sense than an uneven number in terms of logistics and team effort."

By signing Adrien Tambay Audi is purposefully following its strategy of discovering talents and retaining them for the brand early on. "We took several young drivers on board in recent years, some of whom joined us from Volkswagen’s talent incubator in Formula 3," says Dr. Ullrich. "I feel that today Audi has a very good base in terms of its driver line-up, which also means that the brand is oriented toward the future. This also applies to Adrien (Tambay), who convinced us in tests and is a good fit for the Audi family."

The 21-year-old Frenchman, who was active in formula racing since 2007 and took fourth place in the international "Auto-GP" series, prevailed in a multi-step evaluation of young drivers. The ultimate decision in favour of Tambay was made after a final test on Monday. The DTM rookie will start testing in the Audi A5 DTM for his new race team as early as during the official DTM track tests in Valencia (Spain) next week.

Whether Tambay will already be on the grid at the Hockenheimring season opener is not certain at the moment. "We’re currently working at full stretch on duplicating a sufficient number of cars of the A5 DTM model that was homologated on March 1 and to ensure appropriate spare parts supply," explains Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "This is a major logistical feat and puts maximum demands on the entire squad. Our aim is to field the eighth car as early as possible."

Audi Sport drivers for the 2012 DTM

By Tarek Ramchani

Today Audi Sport revealed its driver line-ups for the German Touring Car Masters. Seven cars will be fielded for the new season. Seven drivers, all of who are familiar faces.

Audi is moving from a nine car effort to only seven cars this year. Martin Tomczyk left the squad earlier following his championship title in 2011. Now Oliver Jarvis has also officially left the DTM, but he is staying with Audi, joining the sportscar Le Mans program. Once again three teams will represent Ingolstadt in the premiere touring car series: ABT Sportsline, Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg.

ABT Sportsline:

ABT Sportsline has always been the top supported Audi team in the DTM. The 2011 teams champion will have three cars this season. Mattias Ekstrom and Timo Scheider are long time regulars. Both drivers were crowned DTM champions twice with the team. Ekstrom was champion in both 2004 and 2007, while Scheider was champion in both 2008 and 2009. The new comer is Rahel Frey. Last year the Swiss drove for Phoenix Racing, she is switching with Mike Rockenfeller.

Phoenix Racing:

Audi Sport Team Phoenix of course won the 2011 driver championship title, the first ever satellite team to win the series overall. The team lost their two 2011 drivers, Martin Tomczyk gone from Audi and Rahel Frey joining ABT. The two drivers for this year are Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina. Rocky is no stranger to team Phoenix, he raced with them in 2010 with many great performances. Miguel Molina has come from ABT Sportsline as well, with a nice second half of last year’s season.

Team Rosberg:

The only Audi DTM team not changing its line-up. Filipe Albuquerque and Edoardo Mortara did great last year as rookies. Mortara won the non-championship event at Munich, while Albuquerque got a strong second place at the Valencia race. 

Perhaps the main difference from previous years is that all the three teams will have the same spec car, while in the past, newer generation cars were only in hands of team ABT Sportsline. This year brings new rules and new cars, so all the teams at Audi will race the brand new A5 DTM R17.

The seven drivers will face world class competition from both AMG Mercedes-Benz and the new comers of BMW Motorsport. The season opener is set at Hockenheim, April 29th. Audi of course aiming to defend its two championship titles of 2011.

Audi Sport "R" Number History For Racing Cars

By Johan Laubscher:

At Audi Sport each factory built racing car carries its own internal "R" code name. It all started with the "R1", the Audi quattro rallye in 1980. Since then many more Audi race cars were introduced. Many of these cars have gone onto win numourous championship titles and become legends in their own right. Here is a list representing the full details of the “R” numbers, from the "R1" rally car all the way to the brand new Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra.