Nico Müller revels in first career DTM win at Norisring

Audi Team Abt’s Nico Müller revelled in the battle with BMW Team RBM’s Tom Blomqvist which led to his first career DTM win, with the pair fighting on the track and in the pits.

Müller shadowed poleman Blomqvist throughout the opening stages of the race and attempted a daring move to pass at Grundig-Kehre on lap 33, before the British driver fought back on the exit.

Nevertheless, the eight laps between Blomqvist and Müller pitting was enough to give the Swiss time to build a gap and rejoin in the lead.

“I tried to save DRS in the first part of the race, and when I felt like I could go quicker I had a go. I went too wide, locking the rears and just couldn’t make it stick on track,” said Müller to TouringCarTimes.

“So a big thank you to the team as their strategy gave me a super pitstop to be able to jump him in the pits. The pace was good enough to get him out of the DRS window and it just all came together.”

At one stage it had looked like Mercedes Team Mücke’s Lucas Auer was going to join the fight, but a slow pitstop dropped him out of the battle for the lead.

“I was actually more afraid of him when he popped up, he was looking very strong. When he pitted I thought ‘what are we going to do now’ because I was afraid of the undercut,” said Müller.

“But the team told me to stay calm and keep going, and luckily I had free track and my car was still quick on the old tyres. That was key to winning the race.”

Müller was also left to reflect on the satisfaction of taking his maiden race win in the DTM.

“I’m very happy to finally make it after two years of trying. I’m very happy for my team and myself. We hope to keep pushing and to keep this pace up,” he added.