Audi and BMW Face Struggle Against Mercedes at Lausitzring DTM Race

Last weekend's DTM race at Hockenheim was a complete success for MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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, but AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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and BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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faced problems. Mercedes HWA Team drivers Gary Paffett and Jamie Green took first and second place, respectively. While the top Audi driver, Matthais Ekstrom, managed third place, the top BMW driver was Andy Priaulx in sixth. Mercedes is leading the manufacturers' championship with 65 points, while Audi has 28 points, and BMW has just 8 points. 

The next race for the DTM drivers is this weekend, May 6, at the Lausitzring. The short time between rounds means that the teams have just three days to repair or adjust the cars before they are on track again. The BMW's driven by Bruno Spengler, Dirk Werner, Martin Tomczyk and Joey Hand will all need repaired before the next race. Audi drivers Adrien Tambay and Timo Scheider are also in need of repairs. 

Mercedes has a lot to be thankful for in the series. It has the two top spots in the drivers' championship, two top spots in the teams' championship and top position in the manufacturers' championship. Mercedes has had a lot of success at the Lausitzring in the past. It has taken 12 pole positions there and 9 race wins. Still, this is a new car for the drivers to get used to. 

The Lausitzring makes different demands from those we have to contend with at Hockenheim: the track is technically very demanding, with only one fast corner but several chicanes. It was clear in Hockenheim that our new DTM C-CoupéMercedes-Benz DTM ChallengerGermany, 2011 > present2 photos
is very fast. Now, we aim to keep pushing and to improve our performance in qualifying,” said last week's race winner Gary Paffett. 

The BMWs do not appear to have a problem qualifying. Four of their six cars qualified in the top 10 spots on the grid. However, the new M3 DTM has never been raced at the Lausitzring and only got some practice laps in very early in the car's development. The drivers will be learning how to handle the track in the new car. 

"Our teams all worked hard in Hockenheim, and they will have their hands full to repair the damaged cars in time for the first practice session ahead of the next race. The Lausitzring will demand a great deal from everyone. However, the whole team is motivated, as they can all see that we are heading in the right direction. The overall package is working well and the performance is promising," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

Audi won both the title and the race at Lausitz last year, so it has a lot to defend this weekend. It showed that it could be strong last week with driver Ekstrom taking pole position in qualifying and third in the race. Audi also had three other carsAudi A5 DTMGermany, 2012 > present12 photos
(Mike Rockenfeller, Alfred Molina and Filipe Albuquerque) in points paying positions. Ekstrom won at Lausitz in 2004 and 2005. 

"We're traveling to the next race as the best Audi team and with Mattias ranking in third place of the standings. We're going to do everything we can to strike back as quickly as possible," said Abt Sportsline team director Hans-Jurgen Abt.

The race will be begin at 2:00pm local time. Viewers in Germany will be able to watch live starting at 1:45pm local time, and DTM will put up highlights of the race on DTM.tv afterward. 

The DTM claims that 142,000 people attended the race at Hockenheim and 1.2 million people watched it on television. 

Source: Autosport