Title defence looms

After a very difficult start to the 2018 DTM (German Touring Car Masters) season, few would have expected to see Audi’s René Rast within striking range of a title defence. But after four straight victories, the 31-year-old German can pull off a serious comeback in the season finale in Hockenheim this weekend.

No stranger to Cinderella finishes, Rast took last year’s DTM driver’s title in what was his rookie year, a feat that hadn’t been achieved for 24 years. The last time a DTM driver was able to achieve back-to-back titles though was another Audi driver, Timo Scheider, 10 years ago – but if anyone can do it, Rast can.

Two Mercedes drivers stand between Rast and a repeat title, with just 30 points between him and the title and a total of 56 points up for grabs across the two Hockenheim races – 25  points for each race and three for each pole – it’s certainly within reach.

“Okay, I’m an outsider and it’s extremely unlikely that we’ll take the title,” says Rast, “but really, anything can happen in the DTM, especially at the final round. We’ve already achieved our aim for the season and we’ve got nothing to lose.” 

“After our difficult start to the season we didn’t expect to be fighting for the championship at the end,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “It’s thanks to René and especially to our team that we’re still in the running. They never gave up. We have continued to improve the Audi RS 5 DTM within the limited parameters of the regulations. Our motto for the finale can only be: all in! If René’s winning streak continues, anything is possible.”

As well as coming down to the wire, the finale round of the season will be the last time the Mercedes brand races in the DTM series after 22 years of fierce rivalry between the two brands. As a mark of respect, all six Audi RS 5 DTM cars will be racing with ‘SEE YOU!’ emblazoned on the cars with the letter ‘O’ as a star as part of their race livery.

But history aside, there will be no holding back in the fight to the finish, as Rast looks to overtake Mercedes-Benz drivers Paul Di Resta and Gary Paffett, to again raise the trophy. For those into trends and omens, things look good for Audi, having won five of the six possible wins on the final weekends at the Hockenheimring. 

If Rast collects full points on Saturday, the title will only be decided on Sunday – regardless of his title rivals’ results. If Di Resta and Paffett go home empty-handed, Rast just has to earn at least two points on Saturday.

It’s a big call, sure. But then Rast is not one to shy away from a challenge.