Ingolstadt/Hockenheim, October 24, 2011 – It was a perfect 2011 DTM season for Audi: After Martin Tomczyk’s early win of the drivers title, the brand with the four rings at the Hockenheim finale secured the position of the runner-up in the championship and won the team classification as well. Edoardo Mortara had previously been determined as “Rookie of the year.”
Audi races to fifth win since 2004 A4 DTM
“It’s truly been a perfect year for Audi. And today we clinched everything we still had on our agenda: the runner-up’s slot for ‘Eki’ and the team classification win for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline”, commented Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich after the finish at the Hockenheimring. “My thanks go to everyone who has had a part in this great success for Audi.”
In its 84th and – for the time being – last DTM race the Audi A4 DTM made another strong showing. With Martin Tomczyk, Miguel Molina, Mike Rockenfeller, Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider and Oliver Jarvis on positions two to four and six to eight, six Audi drivers scored points. In its career the A4 DTM, since 2004, has clinched five out of eight possible champion’s titles, 44 pole positions, 31 fastest laps and 34 race victories.
The decision at the finale at Hockenheim was made as early as at the start which Mercedes driver Jamie Green decided in his favor, followed by a lonely race at the front of the field. Similarly solid were the runs of Audi drivers Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) and Miguel Molina (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) that ended on positions two and three.
Audi A4 DTM winner
Martin Tomczyk crowned his brilliant season with another podium finish. At all ten races the new DTM Champion scored points and mounted the podium eight times. The 29-year-old took three race victories. “My A4 was perfect and my team did another great job. I wasn’t able to completely keep up with Jamie’s (Green) pace but that was only secondary today,” said Martin Tomczyk, after thrilling a huge turnout of 120,000 spectators over the weekend.
Another overjoyed driver was the Spaniard Miguel Molina who despite not having been able to take advantage of his pole position at the start in the end managed to celebrate third place and his first ever DTM podium at just 22 years of age.
Mike Rockenfeller and Mattias Ekström on positions four and six at the finale secured the team classification for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline that has won this title for the third time, after 2004 and 2007. “The guys deserve this”, said Mattias Ekström, who finished runner-up, “I can hardly wait to drive the first race in the new Audi A5 DTM.”
Audi A5 DTM Concept will now take over
Audi had shown the world its new A5 DTM concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Internally named “R17,” the A5 DTM will replace the four-door A4 DTM with which Audi has won the DTM title five times since 2004, including the current.
