Rockenfeller: “A big load off my chest”

Mike Rockenfeller secured his first ever DTM victory at Zandvoort this weekend and the German was a happy man.
“The race was simply perfect. After the warm-up I didn’t even expect this. But my engineer and my mechanics turned exactly the right screws for the race. The car was exactly the way I wanted it to be – simply fantastic,” said Rockenfeller.

The Audi driver started third but made his way past Jamie Green in the sprint to the first corner.

“The foundation was laid by passing a Mercedes right at the start. Plus the early first stop: It gave me enough room to Bruno (Spengler). Afterward, I was able to control the race,” said Rockenfeller.

Rockenfeller has raced in DTM since 2007, with third as his previous best finish and the victory of today was long awaited.

“I almost feel like a big load has been taken off my chest. It took a long time before I was finally able to sit in an A-car. After a good qualifying session but a poor race at Hockenheim this was exactly the right answer. The ten points are important. And then we’ll try and be even stronger from the outset in Austria,” said Rockenfeller.