Abt facing race against time to ready Audis

The Kempten-based outfit's prototype car clocked up 1,500km in testing at the Hungaroring last week, as Christian Abt, Laurent Aiello, Mattias Ekström and Martin Tomczyk all tried the new machine.

"During the entire week of testing we didn't experience one technical problem," said Christian Abt. "It couldn't have gone better. If we find small details that need changing, then we can fix them when we assemble the new cars."

Team boss Hans-Jurgen Abt, Christian's older brother, said: "I believe we'll come to Hockenheim with everything sorted out. If we can manage this, then we'd like to bring home some points from the outset. Our aim is to secure a podium result as quickly as possible."

The new car not only boasts a longer wheelbase, but also a heavily revised aerodynamics package.

"The difference is huge," added Christian Abt. "The car is now easier to handle and drive at the limit - just like a real racing car."

To date, the four Abt drivers have shared just one 2001-spec Abt-Audi TT-R, and the remaining three cars won't turn a wheel in anger until Friday's test session.