DTM – Frijns replaces Ekström at Audi

After the announcement of Mattias Ekström leaves DTM, Audi was quick to lift the veil on its replacement. This is the Dutch Robin Frijns, until now driving Audi in GT3 and now under factory contract with the German manufacturer.

Robin Frijns will make his debut in this competition. Ancient hope of formulas in car (Formula champion Renault 3.5 in 2012), the 26-year-old driver turned to Grand Touring after a position as a test driver at Caterham F1. In his first season in an Audi R8 LMS Ultra, he won the Blancpain GT Series with Team WRT and finished 2nd in the Blancpain Sprint Series. After two discreet seasons in Formula e (12th in 2015-16, 13th in 2016-17) on behalf of Andretti Autosport, he became champion in the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup in 2017.

“Robin made a very strong impression on us during his first test drive in an Audi RS5 DTM on a private circuit in Spain in 2013 », explains Dieter Gass, head of the Motorsport program at Audi. “At the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS, he demonstrated his talents and is currently doing a remarkable job in our Formula e simulator. It is possible that he will fight for the title even if he is a beginner, as René (Rast) brilliantly demonstrated to us in 2017 (champion). Robin has tremendous potential and is in an advantageous position in our DTM driver line-up. »

The other official Audi steering wheels are renewed for 2018, namely for Loïc duval, Jamie Green, Nico Müller, Mike Rockenfeller and the outgoing champion René Rast.