Kristensen on pole after wet qualifying

Due to heavy weather, the qualifying session for the DTM race at the Nürburgring, was aborted two minutes before the end of the second part. As a result Tom Kristensen, who was the fastest man in part one of qualifying, is on pole position. Mike Rockenfeller, driving a 2007 version of the Audi A4, joins the Dane on the front row.

During the first session there were already some cars flying of the track. The biggest problems were for Oliver Jarvis, who hit the tire barrier in the first corner very hard. Eventhough he managed to back up out of the gravel trap and find his way back to the pits, the mechanics had to conclude that the car was too damaged to continue.

Another victom of the weather was Bruno Spengler. Eventhough the championship contender for Mercedes did not have any damage on his car, he failed to qualify for the second part of the session, leaving him in 16th place on the grid for tommorow’s race. Despite his bad position on the grid the French Canadian was very firm in believing his title chances are not over yet.

During the second part of qualifying the weather became more intense, resulting in worse conditions on the track. As Mike Rockenfeller crashed in the first corner a few minutes before the end and a couple of other cars slid of at the same point as well, the race directors decided to red flag the session.

Normally, the remaining time of the second part is counted on the time for the third part, and all drivers from the second part can also drive in the third part of the session. However, the race directors decided not to continue at all, meaning the results of the first part of qualifying are the base for the grid.

This means that Tom Kristensen and Mike Rockenfeller, despite his crash, share the front row. Martin Tomczyk takes third, ahead of Gary Paffett, the fastest Mercedes driver. Championship leader Timo Scheider is in nineth. His main competitor Mattias Ekström is ahead of him in fifth.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich:
The conditions was difficult but ok in session one but got worse in session 2. There was high risk for aquaplanning even on the straights, in the end it was the correct decision to stop. following the rules the result is then based on the last completed session and that was session one. It’s not what we would have liked but there was no other way.

Norbert Haug:
It’s a shame for the sport and this can affect both the race and the championship. In Q1 you don’t risk anything, just make sure you are in top 14. It’s not sporting and I think the rules are not very clear. It’s not the way we think it should be handled. I’m not complaining though, just sharing my opinion. We want it to be fair and good sport.

Tom Kristensen:
Don’t know what to call it. It’s maybe not the best way to get pole but I’ll take it. The decision was correct, it was very difficult and dangerous in the second session. Our safety must come first. I was told that according to the rules I was on pole and yes, I’m happy.

Mike Rockenfeller:
It’s my secocnd time on the first row in DTM. I’m happy. it is strange to crash and then be on the first row, but we had something similar at Oschersleben. I’m happy anyway, we were lucky today.

Martin Tomczyk:
I’m happy for sure, the car was really good in the rain but it just was too dangerous in the second session. I think it was the right decision to stop qualifying. It is what it is, I’m happy.

Gary Paffett:
I was happy to see the rain, it’s hard to do something with the old car and rain helps and I also like to drive in the rain. I expected a good result. In Q1 I just made sure I was through so we didn’t risk anythign. It became very dangerous in session two. I’m dissapointed but P4 is still a good position in an old car, I hope to score points tomorrow.