Norisring dominance

Audi has delivered a comprehensive lesson to its competition in the latest round of the DTM (German Touring Car Masters) over the weekend, with double podium results on both Saturday (1–2) and Sunday (2–3), as well as setting the pace all weekend. The result saw Audi extend its lead across all three DTM classifications, streaking ahead in the drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers' championships.

With a total of six Audi teams represented over the weekend, the results couldn’t have been much better for the brand. The new Audi RS 5 DTM which develops more than 455kW from a turbo four-cylinder engine for the first time, was out in front in both free practice sessions, clinched pole position on both days, with René Rast setting a new track record in qualifying and Nico Müller setting a new race record. 

In Saturday’s race, René Rast was blisteringly fast, winning with an advantage of nearly 35 seconds in spite of having dropped to the last position at the start. Nico Müller, the fastest driver in the race, snatched the runner-up’s spot on the last lap, giving Audi a classic one-two result. Loïc Duval completed the strong Saturday showing finishing in fourth position.

In Sunday’s race, all six factory-fielded Audi RS 5 DTM cars finished in the top eight, with Jamie Green missing out on outright victory to finish runner-up, with Mile Rockenfeller fighting his way from starting in 11th to round out the podium.

On Sunday, Rast and Müller started from the front of the grid, but weren’t able to repeat their successes of the day before. After having contact between the two cars and a resultant spin, they were forced to settle for positions seven and eight.

“After clinching the top three spots on the grid in qualifying, it goes without saying that we also wanted to win today,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. 

“Following a good start, we unfortunately didn’t get things right in turn one, which caused the lead to pass to Bruno Spengler. René and Nico fought back with strong lap times, so that we finished in positions two, three, four, six, seven and eight. We can be very happy with our altogether strong showing at the Norisring and are already looking forward to the DTM’s premiere at Assen in two weeks’ time.” 

The weekend’s results meant that René Rast maintained his lead of the DTM drivers’ classification at the Norisring while Nico Müller improved to second place in the standings. In the manufacturers’ classification, Audi now has a 119-point advantage over BMW. In the teams’ classification, Audi Sport Team Rosberg and Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline continue to sit in the top two spots.