Photo: DTM Media

Audi confirms 2009 drivers line up

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Audi have confirmed the driver line up for the 2009 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. The German manufacturer has decided to keep the same drivers from 2008.
“2008 was the most successful year in the motorsport history of AUDI AG. The drivers were also a major factor in this, which is why we saw no reason to change anything on our proven driver squad,” said Audi Motorsport boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

Audi will field four 2009 specification Audi A4 for Mattias Ekström, Tom Kristensen, Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk. The Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline will handle those cars.

The four 2008 specification Audi’s will be driven by Mike Rockenfeller and Markus Winkelhock in the Audi Sport Rosberg team while Oliver Jarvis and Alexandre Prémat will drive for Audi Sport Team Phoenix.

The only change of drivers in between the different Audi teams is Katherine Legge. The Brit will move from Futurecome TME to Audi Team Sportsline where she will drive a 2008 specification Audi A4.

“We decided to concentrate on our three factory teams Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “It’s a great opportunity for Katherine to start for the defending DTM championship winning team.”

The goal for Audi is to repeat the success from 2008. But the pressure from Mercedes will be even harder in 2009.

“With our proven driving squad I believe that we are well placed to achieve this,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “However, it’s perfectly clear to us that the challenge is even greater than last year and that the field could well be even closer. Our competitor Mercedes-Benz will do everything to win the title in 2009.”