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Oschersleben Qualifying

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In a very close qualifying session Jörg Müller set the best time and a new lap record of 1:31.772. However, due to the implementation of a suspended penalty he incurred at Spa, he will begin Race 1 from 11th on the gird.

This gives pole position to James Thompson of Alfa Romeo while his team-mate and last year’s pole occupier, Augusto Farfus joins him on the front row, their times were just 0.154 and 0.177 of a second off that of Jörg’s. Andy Priaulx ensured it wasn’t to be an Alfa Romeo 1-2-3 start tomorrow by using his last lap to set a time of 1:32.053. This secures him 3rd position on the grid at the wheel of his BMW Team UK car. Gabriele Tarquini will be right behind him in 4th place.

SEAT cars occupy 5th, 6th and 7th positions with Rickard Rydell, Stéphane Ortelli and Peter Terting setting times within 0.220 seconds of each other. Jordi Gené claimed 9th spot at the wheel of the new León, with the BMW of Dirk Müller in 8th position splitting the SEAT squad.

Despite good performances in practice, Michael Funke was unable to make the top-ten in qualifying and will start the race 16th on the grid. His Ford Hotfiel Sport team-mate Thomas Klenke had more success and his time of 1:32.717 means a 10th place start – the best yet for Ford.

Alain Menu was the fastest of the Chevrolets, 0.992 of a second off Jörg’s pace so he will begin the race from 13th. The Peugeot 407 driven by Eric Hélary did not manage to set a competitive time, resulting in position 27 on the grid. Proteam Motorsport’s Giuseppe Cirò completed the best lap of the independent field and was 17th fastest overall.