With this recurring column, ooooIYKYK aims to summarize activities of Audi racing campaigns and competition endeavors. This weekly series brief updates of results, preparation, happenings and rumors pertaining to on track activities. See a full calendar of motorsport activities involving Audi Sport factory, customer and Sauber F1 teams maintained HERE.
OPEN WHEEL RACING – F1
ROUND #3, F1 LENOVO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
Sauber Japanese Grand Prix Race Preview
The F1 grid shifts to the Suzuka International circuit in Japan for the third round of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. In Japan, Johnathan Wheatley takes the mantle of leadership at Sauber as Team Principal.
Team Quotes via Stake F1 Team KICK:
Mattia Binotto, COO & CTO:
“The first few races of the season have given us a solid understanding of where we stand as a team and where we need to improve. Both Melbourne and Shanghai showed that we have the potential to fight for points, while China was more unlucky and difficult, but still valuable in terms of data and learning. Suzuka is a circuit that demands precision and confidence in high-speed corners, and it will be crucial to get everything right from the start of the weekend. With a triple-header ahead, consistency will be key – we need to take advantage of every opportunity and keep making progress. The team is working hard, both trackside and back at base in Hinwil, and we are fully focused on moving forward together.”
Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal:
“After spending time meeting our employees at the factory in Hinwil, I am excited to join the team at the historic Suzuka Circuit for my first race and get working on our plans for this season and beyond.”
Nico Hulkenberg (Car #27):
“Suzuka is one of those tracks that really pushes you as a driver. It’s high-speed, technical, and demanding, which makes it rewarding at the end of a lap. I always enjoy racing here — the fans are some of the most passionate in the world. Looking back at the first two races of the season, we’ve had some positives to build on, and we know where we need to improve. The goal now is to take that knowledge into the triple-header and turn it into consistent, competitive performances.”
Gabriel Bortoleto (Car 5):
“The previous race weekends so far have been huge learning experiences for me, and I expect Suzuka to be no different. It’s a circuit l’ve always wanted to race on – demanding but exciting, with a lot of history – especially for Brazilians. l’ve done a lot of preparation in the simulator, and I am looking forward to experience it in real life. The past two rounds have shown me what it takes to manage a full race distance and adapt to different conditions, and I feel like I’m making progress with every session. My focus is on continuing to learn, improving my pace, and being ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come our way. A triple-header is intense, but l’m looking forward to the challenge and to seeing how much I can develop over these next few races”
SPORTSCAR RACING – GT and Touring Car Customer Racing
DEUTSCHE TOURENWAGEN MASTERS (DTM)
Audi Back in DTM with Land Motorsport Entry
Land Motorsport has filed a late entry for the 2025 DTM season, signing swiss driver Ricardo Feller to drive their Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II.
“Everything has fallen into place perfectly, and I am so glad to be racing in the DTM with Land-Motorsport,” commented Feller in a post by the DTM. “The last few weeks have been really energy sapping for me. The discontinuation of my actual DTM programme hit me hard, as everything was uncertain for me. I am particularly grateful to Christian and Wolfgang Land for leaving no stone unturned. I would also like to thank Porsche for releasing me.”
Feller won the ADAC GT Masters with Land in 2021.Last year, Feller competed in the DTM with ABT Sportsline.
Mattias Ekström Returns to DTM, but alas Not with Audi
In other DTM news, four-time DTM champ Mattias Ekström will return to the DTM series for a wild-card race in the 2025 season. In addition to his four championships in the DTM, Audi racing fans will also recall his time in Global Rallycross, as reserve driver in Le Mans and most recently as one of three drivers in Audi’s RS Q e-tron Dakar Rally program.
When Audi ended the program for Dakar, Ekström parted with the brand, signing with Ford who was mounting their own factory-backed Dakar program, and doing so alongside former Audi Dakar program teammate Carlos Sainz.
Given his current state as a contracted Ford factory driver, the fact that Ford now fields FIA GT3 specification Mustangs and that these cars will also be entered in the 2025 DTM season now that DTM is effectively run to GT3 specifications, it’s probably not a surprise that Ekström will compete in a Mustang.
So, while it’s bittersweet to not see Mattias in an Audi, we’re happy too see him back on the DTM grid with Haupt Racing Team and their Mustang GT3 even if it is for just one wild-card race.
GT WORLD CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA
Co-Drivers Named for Brad Schumacher MPC Audi R8 LMS Entry
Sharing the duties in the Melbourne Performance Center Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo entry in the GT World Challenge Australia this season will be Will Brown and Broc Feeney. The two will take turns in the #888 Audi throughout the six-race season
UPCOMING ROUNDS: WEEK 15 (APR 6-MAY 13)
Sidenote: See full season calendar HERE.
04-06 – F1 Lenovo Grand Prix of Japan, Suzuka Circuit, Japan – F1
04-06 – GT World Challenge, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia – GT3
05-06 – British GT Championship, Donington Park, UK – GT3
10-13 – GT4 European Series, Circuit Paul Ricard, France – GT4
11-13 – F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain – F1
11-13 – GT America, Long Beach Grand Prix, USA 🇺🇸 – GT3
11-13 – GT World Challenge / GT World Challenge Asia, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia – GT3, GT4, TCR
11-13 – GT World Challenge Europe, Sprint Cup, Brands Hatch, UK – GT3
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