The partnership between Castrol EDGE and Audi got off to a more than promising start in the 2014 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM). The Ingolstadt-based manufacturer’s cars, filled with Castrol EDGE, won the manufacturers’ title in the first year of the cooperation. In addition, Mattias Ekström and 2013 champion Mike Rockenfeller finished second and third in the drivers’ championship in their Audi RS 5 DTM cars. The successful alliance has been enhanced even further for the coming season, when an Audi decked head-to toe-in a Castrol EDGE-branded livery will take its place on the grid in the world-famous touring car series driven by Edoardo Mortara. The 2010 Formula 3 Euro Series champion from Geneva, who holds dual citizenship from France and Italy, will drive his fifth season as an Audi works driver in the DTM this year.
“With the victory in the DTM Manufacturers’ Championship and the win at the Le Mans 24 Hours – we had a very successful partnership in 2014. I really would like to point out how great the partnership with Castrol EDGE is. We are working very close together and they give us all the support we need,” said Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. True to the Castrol strapline “It’s More Than Just Oil. It’s Liquid Engineering”, Audi receives the perfect blend of oil for its racing cars. And the experience gained in one of motorsport’s top leagues helps Castrol to further develop its products.
The successful partnerships first cooperated in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) back in 2011. Since then, Audis “powered by Castrol EDGE” have claimed four victories in a row at the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours. As such, it was a logical move to extend the cooperation to the DTM. 2014 promptly proved this was the right step to take. Mattias Ekström landed on the podium five times in the first ten races of the season and went on to win the final two races of the year. That was enough to earn him second place in the Drivers’ Championship.
In total, Audi claimed 15 spots on the podium – in the first year of its partnership with Castrol EDGE. 2015 looks set to add the next chapter to this success story. And fans can look forward to even more race action, as a total of 18 races will be held over the course of nine race weekends in the DTM. For the first time, two races will be held on each race weekend. As is tradition, the season kicks off at the Hockenheimring (1st-3rd May), when the grid will feature an Audi in full Castrol EDGE livery for the first time. Ullrich cannot wait for the season opener: “We are looking forward to another successful year of our partnership with Castrol EDGE.”