Audi: Mike Rockenfeller “worthy and deserving” champion

Audi’s motorsport director, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, described its newly crowned DTM title-winner, Mike Rockenfeller, as a “worthy and deserving” champion after the 29-year-old took his first DTM title at Zandvoort.

Rockenfeller has scored in all nine races so far this season, and took wins at Brands Hatch at Moscow.

Whilst unable to pass Zandvoort race-winner, BMW’s Augusto Farfus, for the victory today, the Phoenix Audi driver finished second behind the Brazilian to take his fifth podium place of the season.

Second place was the result Rockenfeller needed to clinch the title with one round to go, as he came into the Zandvoort weekend 33-points ahead of Farfus.

“Winning a DTM title is always a very special thing,” said Ullrich. “I think Mike [Rockenfeller] will fully realize this only in the next few days or weeks.

“He’s an absolutely deserving and worthy 2013 DTM Champion [and] he’s shown this today yet again.

“Congratulations to him, to Phoenix Racing, and to everyone at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm as well.”

Rockenfeller also admitted the success of his first title has not yet sunk in, and thanked third-place finisher, and Audi stable-mate, Timo Scheider, for covering him whilst he struggled for pace on the standard tyre.

“I need a few minutes to myself now in order to realize the success,” said the 2013 DTM champion. “After overtaking Marco Wittmann, I briefly dreamed of victory when I closed the gap to Augusto [Farfus], but I was having difficulties on the standard tire.

“I was having difficulties on the standard tire, [so] I was happy that Timo [Scheider] was behind me and covered the rear for me.”

Phoenix Racing team principal, Ernst Moser, was equally as thrilled as Rockenfeller with the result, after his outfit took its second drivers’ championship in two years.

The team’s last championship came courtesy of Martin Tomczyk in 2011 with an old-spec Audi A4.

“By taking second place we won the championship early; we achieved our aim,” said Moser after the race. “Mike was in superb form and did everything right.

“He caused quite a bit of suspense today, [but] now we’re champions and now we’re going to celebrate.”

In addition to Rockenfeller’s title win, the Phoenix squad now heads the teams’ championship.

Audi has also now moved ahead of BMW to take the lead in the manufacturers’ battle.