After 25 years of extraordinary collaboration in Germany’s premier racing series, Audi and ABT Sportsline bid farewell to their partnership in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM). The final race at the Hockenheimring marked the end of an era, closing a chapter of unparalleled success and milestones that shaped both brands in the world of motorsport.
A Legacy of Dominance
Since their first race together on May 28, 2000, Audi and ABT Sportsline have competed in 333 DTM events, boasting an impressive track record that includes five drivers’ titles, 78 race victories, and 92 pole positions. In the 2024 season, the duo fought until the very end, with Kelvin van der Linde securing a race win on Saturday and finishing second in the overall standings. Over their 25-year collaboration, the two partners have set a new standard in DTM, creating a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, reflected on the partnership’s achievements, saying, “At Audi Sport, we are proud to have celebrated so many successes with ABT Sportsline. Together, we have written a huge piece of motorsport history, filled with unforgettable moments and victories. A big thank you to Hans-Jürgen Abt, Thomas Biermaier, and the entire team at ABT Sportsline for making this era possible.”
The Journey to the Top
Audi and ABT Sportsline’s journey began with the in-house developed Abt-Audi TT-R in the 2000 DTM season. In 2002, Laurent Aiello captured ABT’s first DTM title with a striking yellow TT-R. When Audi officially returned to the series in 2004, ABT Sportsline quickly made their mark, with Mattias Ekström clinching his first championship title in an Audi A4 DTM. Ekström repeated this success in 2007, and Timo Scheider followed suit with back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009, completing a remarkable hat-trick that cemented Audi and ABT’s dominance in the series.
Of the ten DTM drivers’ titles Audi won between 2002 and 2020 under the Class 1 regulations, half were secured with ABT Sportsline. Even after the switch to GT3 regulations in 2021, the partnership remained strong, contributing ten of Audi’s twelve victories in this phase with the Audi R8 LMS customer racing car. Over the 25 years, ABT Sportsline claimed 78 of Audi’s 142 total DTM wins, showcasing the strength of their collaboration.
Beyond the DTM
The partnership’s success extended beyond DTM, with notable triumphs in other racing categories, including the GT3 title in the ADAC GT Masters and a class victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2009. ABT Sportsline’s contributions to Audi’s racing legacy have been unmatched, and their expertise will continue to be an integral part of the Audi brand moving forward.
Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO of ABT Sportsline, reflected on the end of their DTM chapter: “What started out of necessity with the end of the Super Touring Car Championship has grown into one of the most successful and long-standing partnerships in motorsport history. ABT and Audi have been a perfect match for 25 years, and this journey has also helped shape ABT Sportsline as a company.”
Looking Ahead
While the partnership in DTM has come to an end, ABT Sportsline will continue to collaborate with Audi in vehicle refinement. The bond between the two brands, forged over decades of shared victories and successes, remains strong, ensuring that Audi and ABT will continue to innovate and excel in the automotive world.
As Audi and ABT Sportsline close the curtain on their legendary DTM collaboration, they leave behind a legacy that has redefined motorsport, setting new benchmarks for performance, innovation, and teamwork.
Source: Audi
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
