Crucial race weekend for Audi at Hockenheim

The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is heading to Hockenheim this weekend for the German finale of the series, the first time since 2000 the season finale is not held there. The weekend is crucial for Audi as their title chances are extremely slim.

Mattias Ekström is the sole hope of Audi, 26 points behind championship leader Bruno Spengler with 30 points left to fight for.

“Although the mathematical chances of postponing the decision once more are very small, we’re determined to give everything up to the very end. We fought for victory at Oschersleben and we want to do this again – but this time with a positive outcome for us,” said Audi Motorsport boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

DTM is running on a new and shorter version of Hockenheim, something Ekström is not fazed by.

“I’ll give everything to win. One turn is new now and the Parabolica is shorter. There’s no reason why that should keep us from achieving a good result,” said Ekström.

Canadian Spengler is the chased man in the championship, seven points ahead of Mercedes colleague Paul Di Resta.

“In the last race Paul recovered some points but in Hockenheim I want to stand right at the top of the podium and lay the foundation stone for this with an excellent qualification result,” said Spengler.

Di Resta is closing in on Spengler in the championship after a strong couple of races.

“Two victories and one second place in the last three races, giving me 10 points more than Bruno – that’s a fantastic motivation for the race at Hockenheim. Bruno’s advantage is seven points, but thirty more can still be won. I am very eager to see possible overtaking manoeuvres in the new double curve before the Mercedes grandstand – there will certainly be plenty of action here for drivers and fans,” said Di Resta.