Nyck de Vries named as potential stand-in for Mike Rockenfeller in Moscow

Audi Sport has chosen young Dutchman Nyck De Vries as the back-up for Mike Rockenfeller for this weekend’s DTM round in Moscow, should the 2013 champion be unable to compete after the injuries sustained in his Norisring accident.

Rockenfeller suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot after the out-of-control Mercedes C63 DTM of Gary Paffett hit the German’s Audi at the iconic urban track’s first corner. Both drivers were able to get out of their cars by their own means, with Rockenfeller limping back to the ambulance. The Team Phoenix driver has been undergoing physiotherapy and has had a special bandage to use with his racing shoe, which he hopes will allow him to compete this weekend.

“I like the track and want to race at all costs, otherwise the championship will be over for me. With this bandage it should work. I not only want to race in Moscow, but win there for the third time as well,” said Rockenfeller.

The injury, however, takes on average 6-8 weeks to heal and, should Rockenfeller be unable to compete in Moscow, Nyck de Vries will replace him at the wheel of the humber 99 Audi, with the 22-year-old Dutchman having taken part in Audi’s young driver tests in Jerez last December

Audi Sport had to rebuild Rockenfeller’s car after it received a 35g impact, using a new monocoque. De Vries completed the new RS 5 DTM’s rollout last Tuesday.

Rockenfeller won at the Russian track back in 2013 and 2015. Dieter Gass, Head of Audi Sport, highlights the importance of having his driver on duty this weekend: “That makes it all the more important for us to have Rocky with us there. The tires are going to play a greater role than they did most recently at the Lausitzring and the Norisring. In 2013, Mike won in Moscow while running on the option tires used back then. We’re well set in that respect.”