It was the most extensive factory programme in AUDI AG motorsport history to date. On Sunday, 26 October it could become the most successful ever: If Timo Scheider clinches the DTM title for Audi at Hockenheim, then the brand with the four rings will have won everything there was to win this season.
In June Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish scored the third successive victory for the Audi R10 TDI in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner won the American Le Mans Series title with the diesel sportscar, Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller in the European based Le Mans Series.
Audi has also been on the road to success from the very beginning of the 2008 DTM season. The new Audi A4 DTM made a perfect debut in Hockenheim by taking a spectacular one-two-three finish. Since then Audi has not relinquished its hold on the championship lead of the most popular touring car series.
Now, Audi has the chance to successfully defend a DTM title for the second time since 1990/1991. Like Mattias Ekström before him, Timo Scheider comes this time to the final race of the year at Hockenheim with a two point advantage. Two different drivers also won the title for Audi at the Hockenheim finale in 1990 and 1991: 1990 with Hans-Joachim Stuck, 1991 with Frank Biela.
This time Audi’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Timo Scheider, who already boasts an impressive record this season: He celebrated two victories with his GW
:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM. The 29-year old started four-times from pole position, and mounted the podium seven times. Without a jump start at Mugello and an unfortunate tyre choice at the Nürburgring and at Le Mans the German, who lives on the shores of Lake Constance, would have long been champion.
The fans can look forward to a thrilling finale. Advance tickets sales have exceeded 60,000 and, as a result, last year’s record crowd (152,000 spectators throughout the weekend) could even be beaten.
Timo Scheider took pole position at Hockenheim at the start of the season. The championship leader also has good memories of the final race: In 2006 he was the best driver of a year-old car. At the 2007 finale he claimed his first ever DTM podium finish. Now he aims to win his first DTM title and, in front of his home crowd, fend-off Paul di Resta’s attack in the Mercedes-Benz.
Timo Scheider has a two point advantage over his rival. This means that di Resta must finish in front of Scheider – a small but not unimportant psychological advantage for the Audi driver.
As usual ARD broadcasts qualifying and the race live on "Das Erste”. Free practice is shown by www.dtm.tv in the Internet. Audi.tv shows the highlights and background reports. Whoever prefers to watch the eagerly awaited finale at the track can still order tickets from the Audi Ticket-Hotline +49 (0)841 / 8947777 or online at www.audi-dtm.de.
DTM drivers’ standings after 10 of 11 rounds
1. Timo Scheider GW
:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM 65
- Paul di Resta Mercedes 63
- Mattias Ekström Red Bull Audi A4 DTM 54
- Jamie Green Mercedes 46
- Bruno Spengler Mercedes 33
- Bernd Schneider Mercedes 31
- Martin Tomczyk Red Bull Audi A4 DTM 31
- Tom Kristensen Audi A4 DTM 23
- Gary Paffett Mercedes 13
- Alexandre Prémat Audi Bank/Shell Helix Audi A4 DTM 10
- Mike Rockenfeller S line Audi A4 DTM 6
- Markus Winkelhock Playboy Audi A4 DTM 6
- Oliver Jarvis Best Buddies Audi A4 DTM 5
- Ralf Schumacher Mercedes 3
- Mathias Lauda Mercedes 1
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