Audi Motorsport Boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich Discusses 2012 DTM Season

Audi Motorsport boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich coordinates all of Audi's racing activities from Le Mans to DTM. The new DTM season begins at the end of April at Hockenheim with a new trio of models and new series rules. Dr. Ullrich sat down and discussed his thoughts on ths 2012 DTM season. 

Audi, BMW and Mercedes worked together to revise the rules for the new season, and Dr. Ullrich was heavily involved with the decision. The cars now share more standard components including the monocoque and engines standard to each model. The teams are able to modify the suspension and aerodynamics of their cars. 

The new rules should bring more parity among the cars and make the new BMW DTM car immediately competitive.

Dr. Ullrich says that the racing will be better this season in DTM because of the revised aerodynamics. Previously, the cars were packed with complicated but fragile aerodynamic components that kept drivers from making contact with one another. Ullrich and the other team leaders have simplified the cars' aerodynamics packages to allow for more passing and exciting racing. 

Ullrich also briefly discussed the future of the series. He says that the rules makers left room on the cars to add hybrid drive units later, if they decide to. He also said there are plans to bring DTM races to the US and Japan sometime in the future, although not the near future. 

Audi will be fielding eight newly built A5 DTM cars in this year's DTM series, and it will be defending its title from last year, albeit in a brand new car. 

"The DTM makes it possible for us to be active in top-caliber motorsport close to the product – and largely in Audi’s home market Germany – which continues to be an important one for us," said Dr. Ullrich.