Mike Rockenfeller: DTM title incomparable to previous successes

Audi’s Mike Rockenfeller believes his recent DTM title win cannot be compared to any previous motorsport success he has had.

Rockenfeller became the 2013 DTM champion last time out at Zandvoort with one race to go this season.

However, he feels this latest achievement cannot be compared to any previous win, due to each success coming at a different stage in his career.

“I don’t think you can compare them,” Rockenfeller told TouringCarTimes. “In karting, one title was really important for me to make the next step, and the Porsche Carrera Cup was very important. Each time it’s a step and a period in your career where the victory means a lot.

“To win the 24-hours of Daytona in 2010 was such a good feeling after having some difficulties in the DTM with the old cars, but then winning LM the same year was great; until now, that was my biggest success.”

Rockenfeller added he would like to return to Le Mans in the future, but the DTM remains his main focus at present.

“For sure it [Le Mans] still has a special place in my heart and I’d like to return there some day, but we’ll have to see if it’s sooner or later.

“The DTM is one of the toughest racing series’ in the world. We only have professional drivers, no pay drivers and three very competitive brands. I really don’t know why it isn’t any more popular.

“We have the best of the best, and that’s why it isn’t easy to win five, six or seven races per year, because it’s never possible in such a competitive field with such tight margins.”