In theory, at least. In reality, the season’s probably most difficult DTM weekend awaits the championship leader and his team-mate Ricardo Feller, because the 4.318-kilometre Red Bull Ring in the heart of Styria is a racetrack that traditionally does not suit the Audi R8. The circuit is located at an altitude of around 700 metres. Three full-throttle sections with a 65-metre difference in altitude and gradients of up to twelve per cent play into the cards of cars with turbo engines in particular.
That’s why the main focus of ABT Sportsline at the Red Bull Ring is on damage limitation, even though the team will be competing in Red Bull colours there for the first time since 2017 and the penultimate DTM weekend of the season is effectively a ‘home game’ for ABT Sportsline.
Hans-Jürgen Abt: “The track guarantees action”
The DTM is also always good for excitement at the Red Bull Ring. “We have experienced a lot at Spielberg in our 25 years of DTM,” says Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO of the ABT Group. “The track guarantees action. Unforgotten is 2002, when Laurent Aiello was on course for the title at the start of the last lap before being put through the mill by our friends at Mercedes. Team orders are banned in the DTM today. But when I look at the last few races, it seems that one or other manufacturer is doing it again – I hope it won’t be as wild at the Red Bull Ring as it was in 2002.”
Martin Tomczyk: “Every point counts in the title fight”
ABT Sportsline has celebrated four victories in the DTM at the Red Bull Ring so far, most recently in the wet Saturday race in 2023 with Kelvin van der Linde. “On Sunday in the dry, however, we were nowhere,” says ABT Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk. “Experience shows that it will be extremely close again, especially in qualifying. Last year, the top 20 on Sunday were within six tenths of a second. The smallest of details can be crucial. And in the title fight, every point counts. Everyone is talking about the exciting three-way battle between Kelvin van der Linde, Mirko Bortolotti and Maro Engel. But if BMW and Ferrari strike with their turbo power at Spielberg, then Jack Aitken, Sheldon van der Linde or René Rast will suddenly be back in the title race.”
Kelvin van der Linde: “We are hoping for a bit of rain”
Kelvin van der Linde has already managed to achieve the maximum from difficult situations several times this year. The ABT driver has set his sights on doing the same at the Red Bull Ring: “Of course I want to achieve a good result. It’s a home race for our partner Red Bull. I like the track, even though we’ve had a pretty tough time there in recent years. We are hoping for a bit of rain, which could help us.”
Ricardo Feller: “I just want a trouble-free weekend”
Last year, Ricardo Feller drove from the back of the field to a podium finish in the rain – a feeling he last enjoyed in May at the Lausitzring. “I like the Red Bull Ring and the beautiful area around it,” says the Swiss. “However, for our car it is the most difficult track of the season, which of course dampens my anticipation a little. On top of that, things have not been going well on my side of our garage in the DTM recently. So, my biggest wish is for a problem-free weekend. Everyone in the team is working hard to make that happen.”
ProSieben will be broadcasting live from Austria from 1 PM CEST on both Saturday and Sunday. DTM highlights will also be available on Red Bull TV on both race days.
DTM leader Kelvin van der Linde in a short interview
The battle for the lead has been going back and forth between you and Mirko Bortolotti in the Lamborghini. How do you see the situation?
I think it’s very exciting. It’s a very special battle that we both feel is pushing us to the next level and making us very strong. We try to get the maximum out of our package every weekend – when that works, it gives you a very special feeling. But it’s also very exhausting for both of us.
What are your expectations for the Red Bull Ring?
We know from the past that the track doesn’t suit our car that well – but still, I won last year on Saturday in the rain. Maybe it will rain again, or Red Bull will just give us wings at their home race …
This will be your first start as a Red Bull athlete at the Red Bull Ring. Does that feel special?
I think it will be very special. I’m looking forward to it and hope we can put on a good show for the fans.
Why is the Red Bull Ring so difficult for your Audi?
Top speed is crucial. For that, we would need more engine power and more torque.
What else is important?
Finding a clear lap in qualifying on this short track and getting the tyres up to temperature on the front axle – especially with the relatively cool temperatures expected.
Which section of the track do you like best?
Sector two – that’s where you can make the biggest difference as a driver. But the third sector with the last two fast corners is also fun. Especially when the car has good balance.
Where is the best place to overtake at the Red Bull Ring?
If you have top speed, it’s best to overtake before Turn 3, or at the exit of the corner. With our car, we have to try to do it at the start or during the pit stops.
Did you know that ...
... ABT Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk will be available to talk to media representatives at the Red Bull Ring in a round-table discussion starting at 10:30 AM on Saturday morning?
… Olympic rowing champion Oliver Zeidler will be a guest of ABT Sportsline and Schaeffler on Sunday?
… former ski star Thomas Dreßen will again be visiting the team at the Red Bull Ring this year?
... both will also enjoy a ride in the DTM innovation taxi from ABT partner Schaeffler?
… Kelvin van der Linde will be a guest on the TV programme ‘Sport und Talk aus dem Hangar-7’ on ServusTV in Salzburg on Monday evening with his ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II and Daniel Abt?
... numerous top Red Bull managers have announced their attendance?
… Head of ABT Sports Marketing Harry Unflath is also looking forward to executives and guests from ABT partners Bihler, KEUK Medientechnik, Ötztal-Gurgl, Schaeffler, SONAX, SÜDPACK, Remus and MAN?
... CUPRA Austria has invited numerous dealers and media representatives to the DTM in Spielberg again this year?
... Rupert Lehner, former CEO of Fujitsu, is visiting the team at the Red Bull Ring?