Audi A5 DTM Ready to Hit the Track this Weekend

The Audi A5 DTM will hit the track for the first time in competition on Sunday, April 29, at Hockenheim. It will be the first time in 20 years that the three big German luxury car producers - Audi, Mercedes and BMW - will race together in the series. 

Because of the change in specifications for this season, all of the cars on the grid will be brand new including the eight Audis. The new cars look like the Audi A5, but the three manufacturers sat down together to write the new rules that increased shared parts among the cars including the monocoque that all of the components are bolted to. They also have a simplified aerodynamic setup that should allow for closer racing and more contact between cars. 

The eight A5s are split among three teams: Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, Audi Sport Team Phoenix and Audi Sport Team Rosberg. Mattias Ekström, Rahel Frey, Adrien Tambay and Timo Scheider will drive for the Abt Sportsline team. Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina will drive for Team Phoenix. Edoardo Mortara and Filipe Albuquerque will drive for Team Rosberg

“I’m expecting an even fiercer competition than before. A manufacturer and additional drivers have joined the series. That’s good for the fans but also for us drivers. On position 14, you’re no longer at the rear of the grid but right in the middle. Naturally, the air is getting even thinner. To be the best, absolutely everything’s got to a fit to a T. But that’s how we’ve come to know the DTM – and that’s what people value in the DTM,” said Portuguese driver Filipe Albuquerque who drives for Audi Sport Team Rosberg. Last year was his first year in the series, and his best result was a second place finish in Valencia.

Audi won the races at Hockenheim from 2007 to 2009 and is hoping to continue its success with the new car. The Audi Sport Team Abt Sportline was the champion team last year and Audi Sport Team Phoenix was in third. 

This year will be particularly thrilling because of the new vehicles and the third manufacturer. The atmosphere at Hockenheim is always great – the fans are just dying to finally see all the cars in action. Usually, we’ve got nice spring weather at the season opener. In addition, Hockenheim is a great track for the first race. It has a good rhythm and a nice mix. Unfortunately, there’s just one good place for overtaking, in front of the hairpin, unless your immediate rival makes a mistake," said Ekström who was second in the drivers' standing last year and the top placing Audi driver. 

Viewers in Germany can watch qualifying and the race live on Das Erste. Outside of Germany, viewers will have to check their local listings. Highlights of the race will be on DTM.tv but on a delay. The race begins at 2:00pm local time on Sunday. 

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