A meager amount of points scored, but a more effective ‘weight diet’ for Audi in the DTM: Following the two races at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, the Audi RS 5 DTM cars will be allowed to unload weight for the final spurt in the thrilling battle for the title.
After having clinched seven victories in the first 12 races, the Audi drivers had to compete with high additional weights at Oschersleben. Following Miguel Molina’s ninth place on Saturday, Jamie Green in the Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Rosberg in position eight was the best Audi driver.
“This was one of the best races in my career,” said the Briton who had battled his way into the points from grid position 14 with remarkable overtaking maneuvers. “The quick pit stop was another key to scoring points. ‘Thank you’ to my team!”
During his overtaking maneuvers in the early stage, Green had the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM of Mattias Ekström in tow. Ekström, after starting from position 18, finished in eleventh place. The Swede remained without points twice at Oschersleben and is now trailing Pascal Wehrlein by 14 points in second place of the drivers’ standings. But he will have a lighter car than his fiercest rival in the battle for the title for the first time again at the Nürburgring in two weeks from now.
“All of our drivers are now allowed to unload between 7.5 and ten kilograms,” says Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. “We need to make optimum use of this at the Nürburgring. Here at Oschersleben, we were with our back against the wall due to the performance weights. That’s hard to digest, but that’s how the rules are in the DTM this year. We’re very happy that this weekend is behind us and are looking ahead.”
Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM), Adrien Tambay (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM) and Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM) finished Sunday’s race at Oschersleben in positions twelve, 14 and 19. Edoardo Mortara parked his Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM early after 21 laps, following damage to his car in the starting phase. For Miguel Molina (Teufel Audi RS 5 DTM) and Nico Müller (Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM) the race ended early in the commotion in turn one when Mercedes driver Christian Vietoris hit Molina’s rear wheel and Müller was only able to evade them by an excursion into the gravel trap.
The next DTM weekend is coming up soon, at the Nürburgring from September 25 to 27.Edoardo Mortara (Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM #48) retirement / retirement“Obviously, after a weekend with two retirements, it’s hard to find any positive aspects. These two race days were no doubt an exceptional situation before we return to somewhat normal conditions at the Nürburgring. I’m expecting all three brands to be close together there and that the fans can look forward to seeing some thrilling duels. The track has always suited me well. That’s why I want to be in contention at the front no matter what.”
Nico Müller (Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM #51) retirement / retirement
“Due to the weight situation we didn’t travel to Oschersleben with really high expectations – but I wouldn’t have minded seeing the checkered flag. Instead, I retired early due to two incidents I was not at fault in. On Sunday, that was particularly frustrating because I made a good start. But days like these just happen. We’re going to forget about this now and are determined to attack again in the final spurt.”
Press release Audi Sport
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