Audi drivers continue strong performance at DTM and TT Cup

AMMAN, Jordan - Aug. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- Audi drivers continue strong performance at DTM and TT Cup

·         Ekström  just misses podium finish

·         Audi drivers maintain one-two lead of the DTM standings

·         Audi remains in top spot of the manufacturers’ classification as well

·         Audi Sport TT Cup has fourth winner in four races as Nicolaj Møller Madsen wins at Norisring

Ingolstadt/Nuremberg, July 01, 2015 – In front of 123,000 spectators throughout the weekend, Audi defended its lead of the DTM standings. Jamie Green from Audi Sport Team Rosberg remains the front runner in spite of a setback in the race. He has an eleven-point advantage over Mattias Ekström from Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, who finished in fourth place after an impressive race.

As expected, high performance weight following four consecutive victories meant that in Nuremberg the brand with the four rings had to tackle a task as ‘heavy’ as never before this year. Still, Audi came close to clinching a podium place in the city street race. Only on the penultimate lap, Mattias Ekström had to admit defeat to Bruno Spengler’s BMW that was 32.5 kilograms lighter, after both had been fighting a gripping duel throughout the race. “I could feel that he was faster,” said Ekström. “I simply didn’t have a chance across the distance with my performance weight. But it was a great battle.”

Jamie Green, in ninth place, was running in a points-position for a long time as well. However, a hard attack by BMW driver Maxime Martin slashed the left front tire of the Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM. As a result, the leader of the standings had to make an additional pit stop on lap 61 and dropped to 19th place.

“In view of the high weight, Mattias made the best of what was possible,” said Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. “This is a tremendous result for him. That we’re able to reduce maximum weight before the next race weekend is another positive. However, I don’t agree with how the Championship leader was dealt with today. Attacking Jamie Green so hard that he had to pit due to a puncture was not okay. Bruno Spengler’s overtaking maneuver against Mattias Ekström was hard as well, but fair throughout. That’s the kind of racing the fans would like to see.”

Jamie Green now leads the standings with an eleven-point advantage over his brand colleague Mattias Ekström, who is three points ahead of the third-placed driver. After the first third of the season, Audi maintains the top spot in the manufacturers’ classification as well. The brand with the four rings has an advantage of 48 points over Mercedes-Benz.

In the Audi Sport TT Cup, the one-make race held as part of the DTM, there was the fourth winner in as many races as Nicolaj Møller Madsen (DK) won race two at the Norisring. Following three podium places, the Dane secured his first victory in round four of the season, and after the second of six race weekends, is leading the drivers’ standings. Shaun Thong (HK) won the first race on Saturday.

Following the season opener at Hockenheim, the up-and-coming drivers in the Audi Sport TT Cup at the Norisring again impressively proved the high standard of driving skills in the one-make series. At the city street circuit in Nuremberg, the drivers delivered two gripping races to the crowd with suspense from lights to flag. “It was a perfect home round,” says Rolf Michl, Project Leader Audi Sport TT Cup. “The spectators again saw exciting duels and our three noble guest entrants added even further value to the Audi Sport TT Cup. It could have hardly gone any better – except for the rain on Saturday.”

Following the second race weekend of the Audi Sport TT Cup, Møller Madsen is leading the overall standings with 85 points, trailed by Jan Kisiel (65 points) and Dennis Marschall (D, 56 points). The next races in the Audi Sport TT Cup will be held at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (A) on August 1 and 2.

Before the Audi Sport TT Cup returns, DTM rounds seven and eight are coming up at Zandvoort (the Netherlands) two weeks from now, where Audi will be on the grid with less weight and better chances.