Hans-Jürgen Abt has admitted that the Norisring race is the pinnacle of the DTM season for Audi as the street circuit is 75 kilometres from Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt.
“For us as a Bavarian team, the race at the Norisring naturally is the pinnacle of the season,” explains the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline Team Director. “Our strong wish is to finally give something back to all the fans and supporters. With Jamie (Green) in the team we’ve got a proven Norisring expert in our ranks who may be able to give our squad the crucial impulse in the right direction.”
Audi hasn’t won on the 2.3km street circuit since 2002, when Laurent Aiello defeated Bernd Schneider to take the victory. Since then, Audi has been represented on the podium with Swedish driver Mattias Ekström and Timo Schneider securing top three finishes.
The 34 year old Swede celebrates his birthday on race day and is looking to repeat his Saturday performance and improve upon what happened on the Sunday.
“My aim is victory,” explains the #11 Red Bull Audi RS5 driver. “Following a strong qualifying performance, winning the race again for the first time in many years was in our hands last year. But after the first lap of the race it was all over due to a collision.
“That’s why I’d like to repeat the Saturday this year and am wishing for a smooth race on Sunday. I’m very much looking forward to the Norisring.”
Team-mate to Ekström in the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline outfit is Brit Jamie Green, a four time winner on the streets of Nuremburg – he has taken victory in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 and his successes have seen him earn the title ‘Mister Norisring.’ Last time out at the Lausitzring, he secured his first points finish for Audi in the DTM.
“The characteristics of the Norisring can’t be compared with any other race track,” explains the 31 year old. “That’s why it’s difficult to make a prediction about the relative strengths. Naturally, I’ve got a special relationship with this race.
“But even though I’ve won there four times that’s no guarantee for anything – especially not in the DTM. Before and on the weekend, I’ll be working just as hard as always, prepare myself and set up the car,” concludes Green.