Robert Wickens claims first career pole at the Norisring

HWA Mercedes’ Robert Wickens has taken his first DTM career pole position at the Norisring, ahead of BMW’s Bruno Spengler and team-mate Gary Paffett.

The Canadian had troubled the top-six in all four qualifying sessions, but after having made it into the final round, set a fastest lap of 48.384 seconds to take the first pole of his DTM career ahead of his compatriot Spengler by a mere 0.059 seconds to complete a Canadian front row lock out.

Edoardo Mortara was the best placed Audi in fourth, ahead of RSC Mucke team-mates, Pascal Wehrlein and Daniel Juncadella who will line up fifth and seventh respectively.

Splitting the Mercedes youngsters is RBM BMW’s Andy Priaulx, who recorded his best grid position of 2013 with sixth. The Briton also set the quickest time in Q2.

The only notable incident in the session was Mattias Ekstrom’s spin earlier in the session.

The Swede and emerged unscathed, and eventually qualified ninth, one place ahead ahead of Mercedes’ Christian Vietoris.

Despite the lack of incidents, the qualifying session claimed some big scalps which could have an impact on the championship standings.

Championship leader, Mike Rockenfeller, had a disastrous session finished 19th, whilst Martin Tomczyk’s 2013 nightmare continued.

The RMG BMW driver, who came within 0.6 seconds of victory at the Norisring last year, will line up 17th and split BMW stablemates, Timo Glock and Joey Hand.