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Valuable three-day test performed by Audi Sport for RS5 DTM

11 Mar 2015|2,245 views

Audi Sport drivers Mattias Ekstrom, Nico Muller and Mike Rockenfeller have performed a valuable three-day test with the RS5 DTM in Portugal.

"This test was primarily focused on further optimising the RS5 DTM and to work out a basic setup for the 2015 season that our teams can build on in the next two tests," said Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport

The lion's share of the testing work in Portugal was handled by the two DTM Champions Ekstrom and Rockenfeller. But youngster Muller got to drive on the demanding race track on the Algarve coast as well.

"We only have few testing opportunities in the DTM, so the laps at Portimao were all the more valuable for me," said the Swiss who in 2015 is tackling his second DTM season with Audi. "In addition, I can always learn something else while listening in on the radio communications of the other drivers," added Muller.

"In the DTM, the devil is in the detail. Even though the technology of the cars has been frozen by the regulations the work on details never stops. Plus, it never hurts to do some kilometres in the race car. Even after so many years in the DTM it helps to train your ability to drive by the seat of your pants and to stay in practice," said Rockenfeller, the 2013 DTM Champion, who knows from experience.

Ekstrom, the 2004 and 2007 DTM Champion, added, "A test like this is more strenuous than a race weekend because you drive a lot more. You try out a lot of different things and develop a good feel for what works well and what doesn't work so well. This knowledge is very important with a view towards the coming season."

At Estoril from 25^th to 27^th March, the DTM will again be testing in Portugal. At Oschersleben from 14^th to 16^th April, another test is on the agenda before the new season starts on the first weekend in May.

Audi Sport spent three days of testing the Audi RS5 DTM on the race track at Portimao (Portugal), gathering valuable data for the 2015 DTM season that starts at the beginning of May in the process. In brilliant sunshine and spring-like temperatures of about 20 degrees centigrade, Audi Sport drivers Mattias Ekstrom (S), Nico Muller (CH) and Mike Rockenfeller (D) covered a total of about 3,600km in two test cars of Audi Sport.

The lion's share of the testing work in Portugal was handled by the two DTM Champions Ekstrom and Rockenfeller. But youngster Muller got to drive on the demanding race track on the Algarve coast as well.

"We only have few testing opportunities in the DTM, so the laps at Portimao were all the more valuable for me," said the Swiss who in 2015 is tackling his second DTM season with Audi. "In addition, I can always learn something else while listening in on the radio communications of the other drivers," added Muller.

"In the DTM, the devil is in the detail. Even though the technology of the cars has been frozen by the regulations the work on details never stops. Plus, it never hurts to do some kilometres in the race car. Even after so many years in the DTM it helps to train your ability to drive by the seat of your pants and to stay in practice," said Rockenfeller, the 2013 DTM Champion, who knows from experience.

Ekstrom, the 2004 and 2007 DTM Champion, added, "A test like this is more strenuous than a race weekend because you drive a lot more. You try out a lot of different things and develop a good feel for what works well and what doesn't work so well. This knowledge is very important with a view towards the coming season."

At Estoril from 25^th to 27^th March, the DTM will again be testing in Portugal. At Oschersleben from 14^th to 16^th April, another test is on the agenda before the new season starts on the first weekend in May.