Mike Rockenfeller will end his fifteen-year relationship with Audi at the conclusion of the 2021 campaign.
Rockenfeller announced after his third-place finish in Saturday’s DTM race at the Hockenheimring that he will leave the Ingolstadt manufacturer at the end of the year.
“Now, time has come to start a new chapter: I will no longer be racing with Audi in DTM next year,” said Rockenfeller.
“I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and Dieter Gass for all the chances they have given me at Audi.”
“Now, it is time for a new challenge. I have been enjoying my time in DTM to this day, especially this season, it really is great fun again.”
Rockenfeller is the longest-tenured DTM driver on the 2021 grid. The 37-year-old first signed up as an Audi factory driver and made his series debut in 2007, racing for Team Rosberg.
He has raced in the championship every year since his debut. He has so far taken part in 205 races, scoring 6 race wins and 35 career podiums.
The majority of Rockenfeller’s time in DTM was spent with the Phoenix Racing squad, with whom he spent ten seasons. In 2013, he took two race wins and three additional podium en route to his sole DTM title.
Outside of DTM, Rockenfeller also developed a relationship with Audi in sportscar racing that saw him race at Le Mans six times as part of Audi’s LMP1 programme.
The highlight there was an overall win in the 2010 edition of the French endurance classic alongside Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas.
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