Photo: Audi Sport

Audi praises Timo Scheider’s podium at the Lausitzring

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Timo Scheider (Audi Team Phoenix), third, was the highest placed driver for the Ingolstadt manufacturer at today’s DTM race in Lausitzring. Miguel Molina (Audi Team Abt) and Mike Rockenfeller also scored points, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

The 2008 and 2009 champion claimed his first podium of the season after a solid drive, fighting off his rivals in the opening laps and coming close to the second classified, Mercedes’ Christian Vietoris, with a strong second part of the race once he switched to slicks: “My race was good in what very difficult conditions at times. I didn’t even notice all the things that were happening behind me. I’m very happy for my guys that I finally brought home a podium result. It almost turned out to be second place. Thank you’to Audi and Team Phoenix for a superb job.”

The wet conditions didn’t help the Audi drivers, who complained of a lack of grip, resulting in spins and out-of-track excursions, probably also due to the very limited preparation time they had because of Saturday’s reduced free practice.

Edoardo Mortara’s gamble, being the only driver to start the race on slicks, didn’t pay off, with the Swiss crossing the line in 16th position, two laps adrift from the winner, Mercedes’ Pascal Wehrlein.”

Both Team Rosberg drivers, Jamie Green and Nico Muller, had to retire with shifting problems after contacts on the track. Adrien Tambay had a damaged front suspension because of an incident with Gary Paffett and Mattias Ekstrom had to park his Audi RS5 DTM on the track after the front left wheel wasn’t properly fixed at the pit stop.

Despite not being able to reduce the 18-point gap with BMW, Audi still vows to fight for the Manufacturers’ title.

Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport, was realistic and stern about the situation: “Congratulations to Marco Wittmann on winning the title. He’s been on a similar roll this year as Mike Rockenfeller was in the past season. Congratulations also to Timo Scheider on his first podium finish this year. We’ve got analyze for our own purposes why things weren’t going well, particularly with the rain tires on the initial laps.”

The Ingolstadt squad is still visit the top spot of the podium after 8 races in this DTM season. Mattias Ekstrom, third with 56 points, remains the highest placed driver for Audi in the Drivers’ standings.