 DTM visits Adria International Raceway on October 31 In 2004 Audi achieved its first victory with the A4 DTM With four champion’s titles Audi has been the most successful DTM manufacturer ever since

On October 31 the DTM will visit the Adria International Raceway near the Italian lagoon city of Venice. There, in May 2004, Audi celebrated its first victory with the Audi A4 DTM. Accordingly, the Audi squad has fond memories of the round in Italy, the second-largest European market of the Audi brand outside Germany that saw the delivery of 57,204 vehicles in 2009.

Back to the starting point: On the last October weekend in 2010 Audi will return with the DTM to Adria, the venue of the first victory of the Audi A4 DTM. At Adria, on May 16, 2004, Mattias Ekström achieved the first triumph of the brand’s new race touring car with a 3.1-second lead as early as in the car’s third race. To date, 25 further single exploits complement its track record, plus the champion’s titles of Mattias Ekström (2004, 2007) and Timo Scheider (2008, 2009). Since Audi’s return to the DTM with a “factory” commitment at the beginning of the 2004 season the score has been 4:3 in the championship decisions between Audi and Mercedes-Benz. In addition, Audi is the first manufacturer to have clinched a title hat-trick in DTM history, in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

“Needless to say we would have liked to again keep the championship open a little longer this season,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “But this year things just weren’t running smoothly for us, and our rival was as strong as usual. The title fight is over for us, but the season isn’t: we want to make as good a showing as possible at Adria and Shanghai and win these races.”

Strong GermansMost recently, the two Germans Timo Scheider and Mike Rockenfeller left a particularly strong impression. After experiencing a difficult start to the season Scheider has long regained his usual strength, and the first victory since Barcelona in 2009 just seems to be a matter of time. At Hockenheim, Rockenfeller was again the best driver of a 2008-specification vehicle and figures on chances of finishing the season as the driver of an older-generation model with the best point score.“I’m just seven points behind Jamie (Green), that’s a gap you can certainly make up,” says “Rocky” with a fighting spirit. The Le Mans winner, who will celebrate his 27th birthday on race day, has never competed in a DTM race there, but in 2003 and 2004 the German contested the Porsche Carrera Cup on the 2.702-kilometer circuit in the Veneto region.

Four of the nine current Audi DTM drivers – Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider, Martin Tomczyk and Markus Winkelhock – have previously raced in DTM cars at Adria. Alexandre Prémat knows the track from the Formula 3 Euro Series. The circuit is new territory only to Oliver Jarvis, Miguel Molina and Katherine Legge.

“New old” conditionsThe current Audi A4 DTM (internal designation: “R14 plus”) has never been driven at Adria before, but the Audi engineers are certainly familiar with this circuit. The first generation of this touring car (the “R11”) celebrated its first victory there in 2004.“From experience in those days we know that high braking performance, good traction and mechanical grip in the narrow turns are focal topics,” explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “The tarmac on the track makes no special demands but in combination with the Dunlop tires produces very typical friction coefficients. Of course the old data generated by the 2004- specification Audi A4 cannot be directly used any more. But in combination with current vehicle data we can use it as a basis for simulations. These results help us with our preparations, for example in selecting the gear ratios and similar aspects.” Topics of the weekend

 Will Mattias Ekström be able to repeat his 2004 victory? Will Timo Scheider continue to show his excellent form? How much faster have the DTM race cars become since their last run at Adria sixyears ago? Will Mike Rockenfeller in the battle of the best drivers of 2008-spec carscontinue to make up ground to Jamie Green? Will Miguel Molina experience a similarly strong debut on a track that is new tohim as he did before at Zandvoort and Brands Hatch? Will Team Rosberg score its first points in Italy?

Quotes by the officialsDr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “It’s been many years since welast drove at Adria. That was a good beginning for us then. Hopefully that’s a goodomen. We aim to finally convert the continuous performance improvement weshowed in the past races into the victory for which we’ve been working hard for sucha long time.”

Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “We’ve got fondmemories of Adria. That’s where we achieved our first victory with the Audi ‘factory’team in the DTM. Now we’re aiming to clinch the second win of the season. AtHockenheim we again came very close, but didn’t quite make it. But we won’t giveup and believe that we’re able to clinch one or two victories yet this year in order toend the season on a positive note.”

Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “At Adria it’s possible to besurprised by dense fog in the morning at this time of the year. On this trackeverything will be decided in qualifying. It’s very difficult to overtake there as I recallfrom the years in the DTM and GT racing. Therefore, we’ll focus on our qualifyingperformance. In the standings we want to reduce the gap to Jamie Green. We wantto keep the situation in suspense so that we can catch up with him at Shanghai andprovide the best driver – Mike Rockenfeller – of a 2008-specification vehicle.”

Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “I’m certainly lookingforward to Adria in the land of ‘la Dolce Vita.’ We’ve still got two races to go and thetables have got to turn at some point. I’ve got fond memories of Adria. Our aim isthe same as before: after a series of retirements Markus Winkelhock has got tofinally finish a race. At Hockenheim we had achieved a good starting base and thanhe was struck by misfortune again. The track is a ‘Mickey Mouse circuit’ and doesn’tgive Markus, Katherine Legge and their rivals any time to rest.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi driversMattias Ekström (32/S), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team AbtSportsline) Occupied second in 2003 and first place in 2004 at Adria In 2004 celebrated the first of so far 26 victories of an Audi A4 DTM Started from the pole position at Adria in 2004“I’m looking forward to Adria. When I was there last, I achieved my first victory asan Audi ‘factory’ driver in the Audi A4 DTM. This year it probably won’t be as hot as itwas there last time. I’m excited about my new race and want to fight for victorythere again.”

Oliver Jarvis (26/GB), Tabac Original Audi A4 DTM #2 (Audi Sport Team Abt) At the previous race at Hockenheim finished in the points for the fourth timethis season Has contested 30 DTM races so far for Audi“Adria is a new track for me which I’m really looking forward to. It’s always a niceexperience to get to know a new circuit. Hopefully things will continue the way theywent at Hockenheim where we scored a few points. Maybe I’ll even be able to fightfor the podium.”

Katherine Legge (30/GB), Glamour Audi A4 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg) Will contest her 30th DTM race for Audi at Adria Was one of the victims of the accident on lap one at Hockenheim“Before heading for Italy I’ll try and learn the track on the computer. The circuitreminds me of a go-kart track. I can’t judge yet whether or not that’ll suit us well.But, as always, it’s nice to drive on a different track and to get to know new people.”

Miguel Molina (21/E), Audi Bank A4 DTM #18 (Audi Sport Rookie Team Abt) Enters new territory at Adria With four point-finishes under his belt remains the best rookie in the DTM in hisdebut season“The track is new for me. It just has one longer straight and many turns. AtZandvoort and Brands Hatch I achieved my best results of the year on my firstencounters with a track. That’s exactly what I want to try in Italy too.”

Alexandre Prémat (28/F), TV Movie Audi A4 DTM #9 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) Was last running in fifth place at Hockenheim when he had to retire due toaccident damage after a collision by Jamie Green Occupied fifth place in the Formula 3 Euro Series at Adria in 2003“I was at Adria with Formula 3 in 2003 and 2004 and really like this track. As atHockenheim I’m aiming to drive good practice sessions and to qualify far at thefront. If I do that, I should also be able to score many points. We’ve got a very goodteam. My team colleague most recently showed that a nice result is possible in thisenvironment.”

Mike Rockenfeller (26/D), S line Audi A4 DTM #10 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) As the best driver of a 2008-spec Audi A4 DTM ranks in seventh place of thestandings Finished the Porsche Carrera Cup at Adria in fourth place in 2003 and in third in2004 Will be 27 on race Sunday at Adria“Of course I’m looking forward to Adria. My third place at Hockenheim gives me anextra dose of motivation. I’m lacking seven points to Jamie (Green) in the standings.I’d like to make these up in the two remaining races. That’s why a good result atAdria would be important.”

Timo Scheider (31/D), GW:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM #1 (Audi Sport TeamAbt) As the runner-up in round nine achieved his best result of the season In 2004 took fifth place at Adria as the best driver of his team Most recently, at Hockenheim, was the second current Audi driver to havesurpassed the 300-point mark in his DTM career“We’re facing a new challenge. I was previously at Adria with the DTM. I know thecircuit, which appears to me a little like a somewhat enlarged kart track. But it’s atricky circuit nevertheless, and actually a quite demanding one. We can expect a veryclose race there. There’s always a lot of traffic due to the shortness of the track andthe low speeds. That’s what I’m looking forward to. We’ve still got two chances ofwinning this season – and that has to continue to be my goal.”

Martin Tomczyk (28/D), Red Bull Cola Audi A4 DTM #6 (Audi Sport Team AbtSportsline) Finished in the points at Adria in 2004, in eighth place After starting from position eleven at Hockenheim achieved fifth place as his bestresult of the season.“I always enjoy going to Italy although I don’t necessarily prefer the track. It’s arelatively small, narrow circuit. Frequent acceleration, heavy braking and very tightturns are typical there. I don’t dare to make any statement about the balance ofpower. The cars have changed very much since we last ran there in 2004. So, thepower constellation will more than likely be completely different than it was backthen.”

Markus Winkelhock (30/D), Playboy/GW:plus Audi A4 DTM #14 (Audi SportTeam Rosberg) Has raced at Adria before in Formula 3 in 2003 and 2004 With grid position six at Hockenheim achieved his best qualifying result of theseason“Although there are circuits with a more fluid layout which I find to be bit more fun Ido look forward to Adria as an additional race on the calendar. I raced there before,six years ago, but that’s probably no longer a real advantage. I still remember wherethe left- and the right-hand turns are but after such a long time it’s like you’ve neverdriven there before.”

The Audi drivers in the 2010 DTMMattias Ekström (S): * Jul 14, 1978 in Falun (S); residence: Salenstein (CH); single;height: 1.83 m; weight: 77 kg; Audi driver since 1999; DTM races: 102; polepositions: 16; victories: 14; fastest laps: 10; points: 481; DTM titles: 2 (2004,2007); best result, DTM Adria: 1stOliver Jarvis (GB): * Jan 09, 1984 in Burwell (GB); residence: Ermatingen (CH);single; height: 1.80 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2008; DTM races: 30; polepositions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 37; DTMtitles: 0; best result, DTM Adria: –Katherine Legge (GB): * Jul 12, 1980 in Guildford (GB); residence: Ermatingen (CH);single; height: 1.73 m; weight: 58 kg; Audi driver since 2008; DTM races: 29; polepositions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 12th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 0; DTMtitles: 0; best result, DTM Adria: –Miguel Molina (E): * Feb 17, 1989 in Girona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single;height: 1.75 m; weight: 62 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 9; pole positions:0; victories: 0; (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 11; DTM titles: 0; bestresult, DTM Adria: –Alexandre Prémat (F): * Apr 05, 1982 in Juvisy-sur-Orge (F); residence: Ermatingen(CH); married to Cléo, one daughter (Zoe); height: 1.82 m; weight: 74 kg; Audidriver since 2007; DTM races: 39; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 2ndplace); fastest laps: 0; points: 41; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Adria: –

Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH); single(partner Susanne); height: 1.75 m; weight: 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTMraces: 40; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 3rd place); fastest laps: 1;points: 43; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Adria: –Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 11, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single,one son (Loris); height: 1.78 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2006; DTM races:107; pole positions: 9; victories: 5; fastest laps: 6; points: 303; DTM titles: 2 (2008,2009); best result, DTM Adria: 5thMartin Tomczyk (D): * Dec 07, 1981 in Rosenheim (D); residence: Aesch/Basel (CH);single (engaged to Christina); height: 1.88 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2001;DTM races: 101; pole positions: 7; victories: 4; fastest laps: 5; points: 241; DTMtitles: 0; best result, DTM Adria: 8thMarkus Winkelhock (D): * Jun 13, 1980 in Stuttgart (D); residence: Berglen-Steinach (D); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 65 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTMraces: 47; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 0; DTMtitles: 0; points: 17; best result, DTM Adria: 8th

2010 DTM point standings1 Paul Di Resta (Mercedes) 63 points2 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes) 60 points3 Gary Paffett (Mercedes) 49 points4 Timo Scheider (Audi) 37 points5 Mattias Ekström (Audi) 34 points6 Jamie Green (Mercedes) 29 points7 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 22 points8 Oliver Jarvis (Audi) 14 points9 Alexandre Prémat (Audi) 12 points10 Martin Tomczyk (Audi) 12 points11 Miguel Molina (Audi) 11 points12 Susie Stoddart (Mercedes) 4 points13 Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes) 3 points14 Maro Engel (Mercedes) 1 point

2010 DTM season interim statisticsVictories: Mercedes 8; Audi 1Pole positions: Mercedes 5; Audi 4Fastest laps: Mercedes 4; Audi 5Leadin laps: Mercedes 405; Audi 91Points: Mercedes 209; Audi 142Audi DTM statisticsPole positions: 58Victories: 53Fastest laps: 44Champion’s titles: 7 (1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)

All winners of the DTM races at Adria2003 Christijan Albers (Mercedes-Benz)2004 Mattias Ekström (Audi)Track infoTrack length: 2.702 kmRace distance: 59 laps = 159.418 kmDTM qualifying record on this track: Mattias Ekström (Audi), 1m 11.342s = 136.346km/h (May 15, 2004)DTM race record on this track: Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 11.669s =135.724 km/h (May 11, 2003)Pole position in 2004: Mattias Ekström (Audi), 1m 11.342s = 136.346 km/h (May15, 2004)Fastest lap in 2004: Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz), 1m 12.039s = 135.027km/h (May 16, 2004)

Mattias Ekström about Adria: “I enjoy returning to Italy. My victory at Adria in 2004was one of several important stations on my way to the title. The track layout withits turns creates a start-stop rhythm of driving. Whether that personally suits youwell or not: it always made for very thrilling races in the past. You need excellentbrakes and good traction for this. This could suit our car well, although I’m afraid itmight suit our rival at least equally well.”

DTM statistics at Adria since 2004 (Audi “factory” commitment)Races: 1Audi victories: 1Pole positions: 1Fastest laps: 0

Adria 2004 flashbackAs early as in its third race the new Audi A4 DTM celebrated its first victory. At theItalian round of the DTM at the Adria International Raceway Mattias Ekström wasthe dominant driver. The Swede secured the pole position in an extremely thrillingqualifying, immediately took the lead with a good start and controlled the paceduring the whole race. By clinching the second DTM victory in his career Ekströmmoved up in the drivers’ standings, separated by just a two-point gap from the frontrunner, Christijan Albers.

2004 results1 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) 47 laps in 57m 52.607s2 Christijan Albers (Mercedes) + 3.156s.3 Jean Alesi (Mercedes) + 10.198s4 Gary Paffett (Mercedes) + 14.294s5 Timo Scheider (Opel) + 24.003s...8 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) + 35.301s9 Emanuele Pirro (Audi A4 DTM) + 45.253s10 Tom Kristensen (Audi A4 DTM) + 58.130s

ScheduleFriday, October 2912:05–12:35 Roll-out12:35–12:40 Starting practice15:00–16:30 Free practice 116:30–16:35 Starting practice