Tom Kristensen will make his return to the DTM this weekend at Lausitz when he replaces Mike Rockenfeller in the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline lineup.
Rockenfeller will sit out the fourth round of the season following his heavy crash in last weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 27 year-old German currently lies third in the standings, having scored his maiden DTM win at Zandvoort. Audi want to ensure that he fully recovers and have therefore rested him for both the DTM round and next week’s 24 Hours of the Nurburgring.
“Knowing well that Mike is fighting for the DTM title this year his full recovery has absolute priority,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “After prior consultation with our team doctor I have decided to rest him this coming weekend and also for the 24 hour race at the Nurburgring for this reason.”
Eight time Le Mans winner Kristensen, who did not get to race in the endurance classic after his teammate Allan McNish also crashed heavily early in the race, will be making his return to the series which he raced in for Audi between 2004 and 2009. He chose to leave the series at the end of 2009 to concentrate fully on endurance racing, but is happy to make his return to help the team.
“First of all I'm sorry for 'Rocky' that he will miss this race,” said Kristensen. “I wish him a speedy recovery.
“After being out of the DTM for two years it will certainly be very tough to come back. But when Dr. Ullrich called me it was self-evident for me to help Audi Sport in this situation. I'm looking forward to seeing all the old friends again and will try to substitute 'Rocky' as well as possible.”
