Timo Scheider joins Mike Rockenfeller in Audi shuffle

Double DTM champion, Timo Scheider, will join the 2013 DTM title winner, Mike Rockenfeller, at Phoenix Audi in 2014.

Scheider came into the DTM with Opel in 2000, and spent until 2004 with the Volker Strycek led squad.

In 2005, he switched to the FIA GT Championship and A1 GP, but returned to the DTM with Phoenix Audi in 2006.

In 2007, Scheider moved to the Abt Sportsline team, and won back-to-back DTM titles with the Kempten based squad in 2008 and 2009.

His final season with Abt was 2013, and he scored his last DTM victory at Adria in 2010.

“I had a great time with Abt and am leaving the squad with a tear in my eye,” said Scheider. “On the other hand, I am looking forward to driving for the outfit that has provided the DTM Champion twice in the past three years.

“Besides that, I know the team really well from my days before Audi.”

Edoardo Mortara will leave Team Rosberg to join the Abt Sportsline squad alongside Adrien Tambay, and team returnee, Miguel Molina, who made his DTM debut with the team in 2010.

After leaving Abt at the end of the 2011 season, Molina spent 2012 and 2013 at Phoenix alongside Mike Rockenfeller.

The 2004 and 2007 DTM champion, Mattias Ekström, will also continue at Abt Sportsline for what will be his 14th DTM season.

Jamie Green will leave Abt Sportsline after just one season and join DTM rookie, Nico Müller, at Team Rosberg.

Audi’s head of DTM, Dieter Gass, feels the driver switches are the best decision for Audi to defend its 2013 DTM titles.

“During the winter, we not only took a very close look at our RS 5 DTM in search of optimization potential, but also went through various options with the three teams and the drivers in order to come up with as strong a line-up as possible,” said Gass.

“Following extensive discussions, all the parties involved feel that we have found the best solution.

“On the one hand, we are banking on continuity, as we are going to have seven of our previous drivers on the DTM grid again in 2014.

“On the other hand, we feel that a change now and then won’t hurt.

“That’s why we are convinced that we are well-set for the new season with our modified line-up.”

Audi’s motorsport boss, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich added: “Audi has always been committed to continuity with the drivers, as well as to a consistent approach of working with young talents.

“That’s why it’s nice that we managed to retain all of our previous DTM drivers for Audi.

“In Nico Müller we’ve got a promising youngster as a new member of our squad, who will probably attract a few fans from Switzerland to the DTM.

“Plus, we’re already very eager to see how Timo, Edoardo, Miguel and Jamie will be gelling with their new teamsAudi full driver line-ups.”

Audi 2014 DTM driver line-ups

Audi Sport Team Phoenix: Mike Rockenfeller/Timo Scheider
Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline: Mattias Ekström/Edoardo Mortara Adrien Tambay/Miguel Molina
Audi Sport Team Rosberg: Jamie Green/Nico Müller