Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline’s Mattias Ekström and Jamie Green head to the Nürburgring in Germany for the seventh round of the DTM full of confidence after a recent resurgence in form for the Kempten-based team.
Swede Ekström in particular has shown strong form in the past two races, despite being excluded from a seemingly legitimate victory at the Norisring in June. The 2004 and 2007 champion went on to finish second in the last race at the Moscow raceway, behind fellow Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller.
“I’ve celebrated many successes at the Nürburgring and am looking forward to returning to the Eifel,” said Ekström, who won at the circuit in 2005 and 2011.
“At the moment, I’m feeling more comfortable in the cockpit and the team than I have in a long time,” added the Swede, who is currently seventh in the championship on 38 points. “That’s why I think that we’ve got good chances of winning the next big trophy. My aim is to win the race.”
Brit Green’s season has been a difficult one, with the former Mercedes driver languishing down in 12th in the championship – Green’s worst start to a season since joining the DTM in 2005. Green admits that he is hoping for momentum to be on his side after scoring his second points finish of the season last time out.
“Audi has often been very successful at the Nürburgring,” said Green. “And this year again, we seem to be on a roll at the moment. It’s a nice feeling to travel to a race knowing that you can win. We’d like to use this positive mood for a good result.”
Hans-Jürgen Abt, Abt Sportsline’s Team Director, is optimistic of a strong result at the weekend as his team have scored an impressive seven victories at the Nürburgring.
“The success at Moscow, where all four of our drivers scored, was good for the whole squad,” said Abt. “You can really feel how hot the guys are to up the ante at the Nürburgring. Our team has won an amazing seven DTM races in the Eifel, including our first ever victory in the DTM.”
Free practice at the Nürburgring begins at 09:10 CEST on Saturday 17th August (08:10 BST).