Title and 1-2-3-4-5-6 result for Audi at Valencia.
Ingolstadt/Valencia – Triumph at Valencia: With a 1-2-3-4-5-6 result and an early title win Audi managed to crown its 2011 DTM season. Mattias Ekström celebrated his third victory of the season, Filipe Albuquerque, as the runner-up, his first podium finish and Martin Tomczyk in third place is the new DTM Champion.
Third place was sufficient for Martin Tomczyk to be determined as the early title winner. With a 13-point advantage over his title rival, Bruno Spengler (Mercedes- Benz), the Bavarian managed a special feat: for the first time he won the coveted DTM trophy, for the first time Audi Sport Team Phoenix achieved this with a year old car, and it has been seven years since an Audi driver was determined as the champion even before the finale. It was in 2004 that Mattias Ekström, who now celebrated overall victory at Valencia, had last secured an early title win. Tomczyk had managed a perfect recovery after having started from position ten on the grid. As early as on lap one he was in position six, and in third place after his second stop.
“I extend warm congratulations to Martin Tomczyk, his team and the entire Audi squad on this outstanding achievement. The fans experienced captivating duels at the highest sporting level and in Martin an absolutely deserving champion of the 2011 season,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “After the triumph at the Le Mans 24 Hours and numerous other victories, this title is already crowning a successful Audi motorsport year.” His fellow board member Michael Dick, who is responsible for Technical Development, also congratulated the new champion: “’Well done’ to Martin Tomczyk, who has driven an outstanding season and always proved to be a fair and tremendous sportsman both on and off the track. At the same time, the fifth DTM title of the Audi A4 DTM since its debut in the 2004 season is a fantastic farewell gift. The development of our new Audi A5 DTM for the next season is currently in full swing. At Audi, we’re working on this car to follow in the successful footsteps of its predecessor with all our passion.”
The driver who definitely dominated the racing action in Spain was Mattias Ekström. The two-time champion led the field on 38 of the 45 laps. After the successes at the Nürburgring and Oschersleben the Swede from Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline celebrated his third race victory within four races. Behind him, Filipe Albuquerque complemented what was a perfect weekend for him. The DTM rookie from Portugal had started from position two, defended his place up to seeing the checkered flag, and thus gave himself and Audi Sport Team Rosberg the best result of the season. He finished 15.847 seconds ahead of Martin Tomczyk.
“It’s hard to find words for my emotions. It’s definitely a very nice feeling to be DTM Champion. You’ve got to have achieved it first before you can realize that that’s what you are. Eleven years of DTM with lots of ups and downs, and in the eleventh year, together with Team Phoenix, I’ve managed to become champion. It’s been a fantastic season and real fun to drive this car and to work together with this team. Not only I have earned this title but also, first and foremost, Audi Sport Team Phoenix. But Abt and Rosberg, too, have their share in this overall Audi performance. I think we deserve a couple of parties now.” Says Martin Tomczyk.
