Photo: DTM Media

Race Preview: Mercedes v Audi at Lausitz

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Round 5 of the DTM hits the EuroSpeedway Lausitz this weekend. Located in Brandenburg’s Lower Lausitz region it is 130kms South of Berlin, 60kms North of Desden. The circuit length is 3.478km and the lap record is currently held by Mattias Ekström with a 1,19.884. The circuit’s turn 1 was re-engineered in 2007 to promote better overtaking. Mercedes dominated Audi at the last race with Jamie Green on the top step of the podium. So can Audi come back at the EuroSpeedway?

Previously at EuroSpeedway Lausitz
In 2007 Mercedes took the top 4 spots in the race outclassing Audi. Häkkinen took first position, massively ahead of the nearest Audi of Timo Scheider. Mercedes will look for a repeat in their performance whilst Audi need to topple Mercedes and get back on the podium.

The season so far
Timo Scheider currently leads the DTM standings followed closely by Jamie Green only a point behind. Jamie Green took his first victory of the year at Mugello.

Quotes prior to the race
Mattias Ekström – Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #1
“I’m really looking forward to the Lausitz. I think that it’ll be a tough battle again for the points. The championship is incredibly close. At the end every point will be important.”

Martin Tomczyk – Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #2
“The EuroSpeedway will be a huge challenge for us because Mercedes was always very strong there over the last few years. We’ll prepare ourselves for a tough race. Audi has a new car; however, we are unsure as to just how well we can tune it to suit the circuit. Maybe we’ll have a little more potential than in the previous years.”

Timo Scheider – GW:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM #10
“I’m pleased that our cars are ten kilos lighter than at Mugello. We have a good package, and I’m still at the top of the table. I hope that I can defend the lead at the EuroSpeedway. It won’t be easy but we are heading in the right direction. The new A4 was very strong in the first three races.”

Oliver Jarvis – Best Buddies Audi A4 DTM #15
“This’ll be my first time at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, so I’ll have a lot to learn. However, together with Audi Sport Team Phoenix I want to continue our strong form and hope to have a good race.”

Jamie Green – Salzgitter AMG Mercedes
“It’s good to be second in the points, but it’s much more important to be up there at the end of the season not at the beginning. We’ll go into Lausitz hoping to be a factor, but it’s a very different track to Mugello. Mercedes have always gone well there in the past, so hopefully we’ll be as competitive there.”

Schedule – Sunday 18 May (subject to change)
09.10 – CIK-FIA Europ. Superkart Championship
10.05 – Porsche Carrera Cup
11.05 – SEAT Leon Supercopa
11.50 – DTM Warm up
12.20 – Pit Walk/Concert
13.00 – Pit Walk/IDC Drift Challenge
13.20 – DTM Information laps
13.30 – DTM Start grid presentation
14.03 – DTM Race
15.30 – DTM international press conference (live at www.dtm.tv)
16.00 – ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup
16.45 – Superkart Championship