“The Norisring has always been an absolute highlight on the DTM calendar,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “But this year, the spectators can look forward to a unique spectacle. The new cars are more powerful and faster. We expect to see lap records, top speeds above 270 km/h and naturally, as a result, even more extreme loads on the brakes. Due to the higher speeds, the braking distances will be longer, causing the brakes to become hotter.”
Even last year, the brake calipers of the Audi RS 5 DTM cars were provided with additional water cooling in Nuremberg. This year, more intensively ventilated brake discs be will be used, which are able to withstand the expected high temperatures.
“Due to the two hairpin turns at the end of the fast straights, the track is super-tough on the brakes,” says Audi driver Nico Müller. “In the race, we have to do a good job of managing our brakes. It’ll be an acid test not only for us drivers, but also for the hardware. Plus, the track has many bumps that change every year.”
In 2016, Müller won his first DTM race on the 2.3-kilometer city street circuit between the Dutzendteich Lake and the Max-Morlock Stadium. Last year, he was again the most successful Audi driver in Nuremberg. Following his victory at Misano at the beginning of June, the Swiss sits in the third spot of the drivers’ standings and can hardly wait to be racing at the Norisring in a turbo car for the first time.
With the new Audi RS 5 DTM, Audi Sport seamlessly continues its success story in the DTM. With three victories and twelve of eighteen possible podium finishes so far, the track record of the new Class 1 race car is impressive. Thanks to its strong performances in the first three events, Audi is traveling to the Norisring as the front runner in all three of the classifications and wants to defend its leading position in its home DTM round.
All six of the Audi factory drivers – René Rast (4), Nico Müller (3), Robin Frijns (2), Loïc Duval (1), Jamie Green (1) and Mike Rockenfeller (1) – have already clinched podium results this year. Before the Norisring, all six of them are ranked in the top ten of the championship.