Erik
July 8th, 2005, 09:52
Ingolstadt, 08 July 2005
"Home game" for DTM Champions Audi
- Mattias Ekström heads table coming to Norisring
- Audi has already won three times in Nuremberg
- Top speed, traction and brakes are key factors
The DTM race at the Norisring on 17 July is Audi Sport’s "home game”, but
nevertheless a very special challenge for the team of Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of
Audi Motorsport: The 2.3 kilometre street circuit between the Franken Stadium and
the Dutzendteich, on which Audi has already won three DTM races (1990, 1991 and
2002), was not the A4 DTM car’s favourite circuit last year. Its main strengths were
the corners - and there are just four of these at the Norisring.
Audi Sport Team Joest, with its four 2004-spec cars, faces a really tough race
weekend. On the other hand, championship leader Mattias Ekström and his three Audi
Sport Team Abt Sportsline team mates fancy their chances of fighting for victory at
the Norisring this time around: The new Audi A4 DTM with its striking single-frame
radiator grille has a different aerodynamic configuration than last year’s
championship winning car and is on a par with the competition as far as top speed is
concerned.
Not only is pure top speed of importance at the Norisring but also efficient brake
cooling and excellent traction - both disciplines in which Audi was always very
strong and in which Audi Sport attached great value to during the preparation.
Things in Nuremburg are not only completely different because of the unusual
circuit: Saturday’s qualifying and the race on Sunday will be held late in the
afternoon to prevent a clash with the ARD "Tour de France” TV coverage. As usual,
ARD broadcasts both events live. Last year 132,000 fans attended the Norisring
weekend. The organisers expect even more spectator interest this year.
Quotes before the race at the Norisring
Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #1): "I have a lot of good memories
of the Norisring: It was here that I took my first pole position in 2002 and
followed it up with my first win - even if it was only in the short sprint race
then. I also arrived at the Norisring as championship leader last year and lost it
after the race - we certainly want to do things differently this time. I’m looking
forward to the hubbub and the army of fans, because every racing driver dreams of
such a motorsport highlight.”
Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #2): "The Norisring is not
necessarily the top circuit on the DTM calendar, but the race around the street
circuit is always great fun, and something very special because of the incredible
setting. I think that we’ll be in with a much better chance this year with our A4
and could even aim for a win.”
Tom Kristensen (Audi Sport Team Abt #5): "I’m convinced that we will be competitive
at the Norisring. Our Audi A4 DTM should be very strong in the chicane and
particularly under braking. I’m looking forward to the Norisring since it is the
‘DTM Grand Prix’, the most well-known race of the year visited by scores and scores
of fans. It does however mean that the weekend will be very tense for both the teams
and drivers…”
Allan McNish (Audi Sport Team Abt #6): "I’ve never driven at the Norisring and was
never in Nuremberg. I heard that the event is quite spectacular. I remember sitting
in front of the television in 1996 when Dario Franchitti drove at he Norisring. I’ve
really found my feet during the last couple of races in the DTM and am confident as
a result.”
Christian Abt (Audi Sport Team Joest Racing #14): "I’m looking forward to my home
race. Things always went very well for me at the Norisring in the past. However, if
I had one wish it would be to drive a new A4 particularly at this race, because it’s
going to be very tough with last year’s cars. In spite of this I’ll be fighting like
always and believe that I can get into the top ten during the race.”
Pierre Kaffer (Audi Sport Team Joest Racing #15): "I loved the Norisring in Formula
3 and the Carrera Cup. I’m really looking forward to the ‘German Monaco’. As always
there’ll be masses going on, and I think that we’ll be able to give the spectators a
great show again. Personally I hope to have a little more luck than I’ve had in the
last three races.”
Rinaldo Capello (Audi Sport Team Joest #18): "The last time that I was at the
Norisring was years ago. The circuit is very unusual, in fact not really a typical
street circuit. I’m afraid that it is the most difficult circuit of the year for us,
particularly as our year-old A4 love corners - at the Norisring however there are
mainly straights. We’ll just have to live with it.”
Frank Stippler (Audi Sport Team Joest #19): "Thanks to information gained last
season we know that we’ll have a tough job at the Norisring. Nevertheless the race
is a without doubt a highlight in the calendar. Up till now, I’ve always had great
results at the Norisring, although the hairpins are not really my scene. I’m
intrigued as to just how the DTM Audi will perform there.”
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Boss Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): "The Norisring weekend
is a special challenge for us. There will be loads of Audi fans there. The working
conditions for the team are particularly difficult, but we are more than happy to
accept this because of the fantastic atmosphere. We prepared ourselves well for the
home race. Everybody in the team is fully motivated and ready to settle the score
from last year and repeat the victory from 2002.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "The Norisring is Audi’s
home game - but unfortunately we don’t have a home advantage, or at least not with
our year-old cars, which will not be as quick as the new A4 on the straights. We
really struggled here in 2004 and are prepared for a tough weekend. The entire team
will try to make the most out of it. After all, a lot can happen at the Norisring.”
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "The Norisring race is very important
to us. On the one hand it is our home race, at which many Audi employees and fans
will cheer us on from the stands, and, on the hand, the championship is incredibly
close. Every point counts. We are preparing intensely for the race so that we can
fight for top honours. The 2005 DTM cars are all very evenly matched as far as top
speed is concerned. That’s why things look better to start with than last year.
Nevertheless it will be one of the most difficult DTM races of the year, perhaps
even the hardest.”
"Home game" for DTM Champions Audi
- Mattias Ekström heads table coming to Norisring
- Audi has already won three times in Nuremberg
- Top speed, traction and brakes are key factors
The DTM race at the Norisring on 17 July is Audi Sport’s "home game”, but
nevertheless a very special challenge for the team of Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of
Audi Motorsport: The 2.3 kilometre street circuit between the Franken Stadium and
the Dutzendteich, on which Audi has already won three DTM races (1990, 1991 and
2002), was not the A4 DTM car’s favourite circuit last year. Its main strengths were
the corners - and there are just four of these at the Norisring.
Audi Sport Team Joest, with its four 2004-spec cars, faces a really tough race
weekend. On the other hand, championship leader Mattias Ekström and his three Audi
Sport Team Abt Sportsline team mates fancy their chances of fighting for victory at
the Norisring this time around: The new Audi A4 DTM with its striking single-frame
radiator grille has a different aerodynamic configuration than last year’s
championship winning car and is on a par with the competition as far as top speed is
concerned.
Not only is pure top speed of importance at the Norisring but also efficient brake
cooling and excellent traction - both disciplines in which Audi was always very
strong and in which Audi Sport attached great value to during the preparation.
Things in Nuremburg are not only completely different because of the unusual
circuit: Saturday’s qualifying and the race on Sunday will be held late in the
afternoon to prevent a clash with the ARD "Tour de France” TV coverage. As usual,
ARD broadcasts both events live. Last year 132,000 fans attended the Norisring
weekend. The organisers expect even more spectator interest this year.
Quotes before the race at the Norisring
Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #1): "I have a lot of good memories
of the Norisring: It was here that I took my first pole position in 2002 and
followed it up with my first win - even if it was only in the short sprint race
then. I also arrived at the Norisring as championship leader last year and lost it
after the race - we certainly want to do things differently this time. I’m looking
forward to the hubbub and the army of fans, because every racing driver dreams of
such a motorsport highlight.”
Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #2): "The Norisring is not
necessarily the top circuit on the DTM calendar, but the race around the street
circuit is always great fun, and something very special because of the incredible
setting. I think that we’ll be in with a much better chance this year with our A4
and could even aim for a win.”
Tom Kristensen (Audi Sport Team Abt #5): "I’m convinced that we will be competitive
at the Norisring. Our Audi A4 DTM should be very strong in the chicane and
particularly under braking. I’m looking forward to the Norisring since it is the
‘DTM Grand Prix’, the most well-known race of the year visited by scores and scores
of fans. It does however mean that the weekend will be very tense for both the teams
and drivers…”
Allan McNish (Audi Sport Team Abt #6): "I’ve never driven at the Norisring and was
never in Nuremberg. I heard that the event is quite spectacular. I remember sitting
in front of the television in 1996 when Dario Franchitti drove at he Norisring. I’ve
really found my feet during the last couple of races in the DTM and am confident as
a result.”
Christian Abt (Audi Sport Team Joest Racing #14): "I’m looking forward to my home
race. Things always went very well for me at the Norisring in the past. However, if
I had one wish it would be to drive a new A4 particularly at this race, because it’s
going to be very tough with last year’s cars. In spite of this I’ll be fighting like
always and believe that I can get into the top ten during the race.”
Pierre Kaffer (Audi Sport Team Joest Racing #15): "I loved the Norisring in Formula
3 and the Carrera Cup. I’m really looking forward to the ‘German Monaco’. As always
there’ll be masses going on, and I think that we’ll be able to give the spectators a
great show again. Personally I hope to have a little more luck than I’ve had in the
last three races.”
Rinaldo Capello (Audi Sport Team Joest #18): "The last time that I was at the
Norisring was years ago. The circuit is very unusual, in fact not really a typical
street circuit. I’m afraid that it is the most difficult circuit of the year for us,
particularly as our year-old A4 love corners - at the Norisring however there are
mainly straights. We’ll just have to live with it.”
Frank Stippler (Audi Sport Team Joest #19): "Thanks to information gained last
season we know that we’ll have a tough job at the Norisring. Nevertheless the race
is a without doubt a highlight in the calendar. Up till now, I’ve always had great
results at the Norisring, although the hairpins are not really my scene. I’m
intrigued as to just how the DTM Audi will perform there.”
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Boss Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): "The Norisring weekend
is a special challenge for us. There will be loads of Audi fans there. The working
conditions for the team are particularly difficult, but we are more than happy to
accept this because of the fantastic atmosphere. We prepared ourselves well for the
home race. Everybody in the team is fully motivated and ready to settle the score
from last year and repeat the victory from 2002.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "The Norisring is Audi’s
home game - but unfortunately we don’t have a home advantage, or at least not with
our year-old cars, which will not be as quick as the new A4 on the straights. We
really struggled here in 2004 and are prepared for a tough weekend. The entire team
will try to make the most out of it. After all, a lot can happen at the Norisring.”
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "The Norisring race is very important
to us. On the one hand it is our home race, at which many Audi employees and fans
will cheer us on from the stands, and, on the hand, the championship is incredibly
close. Every point counts. We are preparing intensely for the race so that we can
fight for top honours. The 2005 DTM cars are all very evenly matched as far as top
speed is concerned. That’s why things look better to start with than last year.
Nevertheless it will be one of the most difficult DTM races of the year, perhaps
even the hardest.”