Audi and Mercedes quotes for Norisring

Mattias Ekström (Red Bull Audi A4 DTM): “The Norisring race is a race I really would like to win this year. I’ll try everything to make this happen. There are many Audi fans, and the atmosphere is great, similar to the Formula 1 in Monaco. I’m looking forward to the weekend and will do everything I can to fight for the victory.”

Audi:

Martin Tomczyk (Red Bull Audi A4 DTM): “The Norisring is Audi’s home track. There will be a lot of fans and Audi employees on site as well as a lot of the Audi management. We know that Mercedes was very dominant at the Norisring in the past. This year we want to put it the other way around. Personally I don’t count the Norisring among my favourite tracks. But maybe this will change coming there as the championship leader. My target is to score as many points as possible. All of the remaining five tracks are absolutely to my liking.”

Tom Kristensen (Siemens Audi A4 DTM): “I’m looking forward to my comeback in DTM. I already enjoyed the brief visit to Brands Hatch as the whole team gave me a very warm welcome. Now I can’t really wait to work again with my engineer and the team. With Martin (Tomczyk) and Mattias (Ekström) two of my teammates are leading the championship. I’ll give everything so that we will be able to defend this lead in our home game at the Norisring.”

Timo Scheider (Gebrauchtwagen:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM): “I’m looking forward to the season’s highlight in Nuremberg. There is a very special atmosphere in the city. But I’m also looking forward to getting rid of some weight. After the race at Brands Hatch which was not so good, I hope for a better weekend at the Norisring.”

Mike Rockenfeller (S line Audi A4 DTM): “I’ve good memories of the Norisring, that’s why I’m really looking forward to the race. I’d like to score a good result to leave the two previous DTM races behind me which have been not good. I’ve won in the Carrera Cup at Nuremberg and really like street circuits. I’m highly motivated and will try to build on my Oschersleben success.”

Lucas Luhr (Philips Audi A4 DTM): “The Norisring is Germany’s Monaco of motor racing. It’s the highlight of the season, but I believe it will be very difficult for us with the 2006-spec cars. Mercedes was strong there in the past. We’ll have to give everything to be successful. Despite that I’m looking forward to the race.”

Christian Abt (Playboy Audi A4 DTM): “I’m looking forward to the Norisring which is like my living room – you always look forward to your living room because it is most comortable. I always have enjoyed great successes at the Norisiring. I don’t know how competive my 2006-spec Audi will be there, but I presume it will be very tough. The 2007-spec cars have become really fast. That’s why it’s getting more and more difficult for the older cars – despite the weight regulations.”

Alexandre Prémat (Audi Bank Audi A4 DTM): “I’m looking forward to this track which I really like very much. I took my first victory in Formula 3 there. It is an unusual track. I’ve raced four times there and won twice. The other two times I was in the lead before running into trouble. The intensive braking and the hairpins make this track so special. The team and I are very much motivated after the good weekend at Brands Hatch. I hope to score as many points as possible.”

Adam Carroll (Audi A4 DTM): “Despite not having ever raced there I’m looking forward to the Norisring. I was told about the great atmosphere there. I’ll get to know another new track. Hopefully we’ll experience a good weekend finally confirming our good performances we usually have in the test sessions.”

Vanina Ickx (Audi A4 DTM): “Germany has its own Monaco at the Norisring. As usual many spectators are expected. This is like a big festival for all the teams. I really can’t wait to be there again.”

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “The Norisring event is traditionally our ‘home race’ as Nuremberg is close to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. However, we were not able to achieve the results we and the Audi fans would have liked in previous years. This time we will fully concentrate on being better. With the latest generation cars we have created a very good basis for that.”

Mercedes:

Bernd Schneider (2007 Genuine Parts AMG Mercedes C-Class): “The Norisring is like Monaco in the DTM with a unique atmosphere. Therefore, I particularly look forward to this race and want to continue with good results like my race win in Brands Hatch. I expect an exciting race, which will be very demanding for the drivers. 74 laps in the usually hot conditions in Nuremberg are quite a challenge.”

Bruno Spengler (2007 DaimlerChrysler Bank AMG Mercedes C-Class): “I have only positive memories of the Norisring. I like the track with the many fans very much and last year I achieved my first DTM victory there. I will do my best to repeat this success.”

Jamie Green (2007 Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class): “Four races and three sixth positions – I am not satisfied. I can do better, and I want to prove it in Nuremberg.”

Mika Häkkinen (2007 AMG Mercedes C-Class): “I like to race at the Norisring with its unique atmosphere. Like every city circuit, it offers special challenges for cars and drivers and it does not allow for any mistakes. Therefore, it is crucial to remain fully concentrated throughout and to keep it cool in any situation; however, with the usually high ambient temperatures at the Norisring this is not an easy task.”

Gary Paffett (2006 Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class): “I am quite optimistic for the race, because my car lost a bit of weight after Brands Hatch. At the Norisring, I have already won in Formula 3 and in the DTM and it is one of my favourite tracks. This is also because of the many spectators and the great atmosphere.”

Alexandros Margaritis (2006 stern AMG Mercedes C-Class): “The Norisring is my personal highlight of the season, because the circuit suits me particularly well. Here I want to score the points I have missed in Brands Hatch by half a second. As our car is lighter than before, a podium position could be possible.”

Susie Stoddart (2005 TV Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class): “The atmosphere at the Norisring is really incredible. Last year I did not finish among the top-ten following a collision. This time I will give it my all for a better result.”

Daniel la Rosa (2006 TrekStor AMG Mercedes C-Class): “In Nuremberg we are closer to our fans than at any other race track, which is a really impressing backdrop. After missing the top-ten three times in a row I finally want to score points again.”

Mathias Lauda (2006 Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class): “After 12th place in Brands Hatch, I want to be back in the points in Nuremberg. With the lighter car this should be possible.”

Paul di Resta (JAWA4U.de AMG Mercedes C-Class 2005): “The Norisring is one of my favourite tracks. Last year, I won a race of the Formula 3 Euro Series. Following the disappointing outcome in Brands Hatch, when I retired short after the start, I want to be back on the podium.”

Norbert Haug (Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport): “The 2.3-km long Norisring is one of the shortest circuits with the most narrow passages on the DTM calendar. At this track we have won six out of the last eight races. With only four corners, the layout seems to be not very challenging; however, this is not true. Twice per lap, the drivers slow down extremely hard from speeds of more than 250 km/h; once, at the Grundig hairpin, to less than 50 km/h, which makes this corner the slowest turn on the DTM calendar.

The quick rhythm of accelerating, braking and turning in represents an extreme challenge for the drivers and for the cars, which pass the same spot every 50 seconds. As the only race on a temporary street circuit, the Norisring is a highlight of the season. Everybody in our teams is fully focused to further improve our season balance with three wins out of four races so far. The fans in Nuremberg and at the TV will certainly see one of the most exciting races.”