Audi's Edoardo Mortara believes Russia's first ever DTM race will be a 'resoundin🌸g success' as 𒉰the Italian embarks on his third season.

Mortara, who enjoyed his most successful DTM season to date with two victories in 2012, spoke of his enthusiasm for the race during a recent fan event at Moscow's icon🦄ic Red Square alongside Audi team m🧸ate and former champion Mattias Ekstrom.

The Italian admitted he was surprཧised by the l🔜evel of interest as the series unveiled itself to Russia.

"This was my first visit to Russ꧟ia. It was really exci🍒ting to be standing on Red Square with the Audi A5 DTM. I was particularly surprised about the high interest of the media," said the Italian.

"They [the fans] were clearly thrilled. I haven't signed such a lar🥀ge number of autographs as I did at this event in a long🐽 time."

The 26-year old also expects to see a full house come August 4th when the Moscow Raceway will host the first 𒁃ever Russian round.

"After my experiences during this brief visit I'm sure that the race will be a resoun♉ding success. The people are obviously very enthusiastic about motorsport. I'm already looking forward to running there.

"I'm definitely expecting to see full grandstands at the race and am already excited about my next visit to this fascina🥃ting metropolis," Mortar🃏a concluded.

by Simon Evans