Audi heads to Barcelona as DTM leader

The situation in the DTM is coming to a head: The race at Barcelona (Spain) on September 20 kicks off the crucial phase of the fight for the title in the most popular international touring car racing series. Nine drivers still have theoretical chances of achieving overall victory – and Audi is the brand with the best prospects in the title gamble.

Before the last three races of the season two Audi drivers – Timo Scheider and Mattias Ekström – who know how to win the DTM are ranking at the top of the standings: Scheider became the champion last year, Ekström did in 2004 and 2007. Both racers have received clear marching orders: to again bring the prestigious title home to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. It would be the seventh for the brand with the four rings. In addition, Audi would be the first automobile manufacturer in history to win the DTM crown for the third consecutive time.

Theoretically, as many as nine drivers could still become champion based on the point scores. Realistically, though, the circle of candidates for the title is reduced to six: First of all Scheider (43 points), Ekström (38) and Gary Paffett (34), who, as the best Mercedes driver, is ranking third in the standings. Paul Di Resta (29), Bruno Spengler (29) and Martin Tomczyk (27) also still have outsider’s chances, but only if all three favourites fail to score at Barcelona.

This possibility can never be ruled out in the DTM, though, particularly since the contenders are now increasingly fighting with no holds barred, as Brands Hatch most recently showed. And although Barcelona’s DTM history is still relatively brief, it has been a turbulent one marked by collisions, penalties and trouble.

Accordingly, fans can look forward to another exciting DTM race to which Audi goes with a small advantage: Due to the results at Brands Hatch the current Audi A4 DTM cars are ten kilograms lighter than the 2009-spec cars of their rivals. And on the just 2.977-kilometre version of the Circuit de Catalunya the smallest detail counts.

The driver of the Audi squad who has the fondest memories of Barcelona is Martin Tomczyk, who celebrated his first of so far four DTM victories there in 2006 and started from the pole position twice. However, his track record in Spain includes negative experiences as well: In 2007, Tomczyk – while leading the race – was pushed off the track by a rival. His opponent in the accident received a record penalty of 20,000 euros at that time.

All experts agree that Barcelona may produce the preliminary decision in the title fight. Consequently, the situation is volatile and suspense is at an all-time high before the race. As usual, ARD will air live coverage: qualifying on Saturday (September 19) starting at 1:30 pm, the race on Sunday (September 20) starting at 1:45 pm (German times).