Tom Kristensen will return to the DTM this weekend at the Lausitzring to replace Mike Rockenfeller at the wheel of an Audi A4 from Team Abt Sportsline.
Rockenfeller, who scored his first DTM win earlier this year, is still recovering from his big accident during the Le Mans 24 Hours. Audi said the 27-year-old wants to be completely sure that he has sufficient time to fully recuperate following his accident. Eight-time Le Mans winner Kristensen, 43, will thus be returning to the DTM, where he raced from 2004 through 2009 before quitting to focus on his endurance racing program.
"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. [Wolfgang] 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 as well as possible."