Maxime Martin “didn’t expect” front-row grid spot at the Nürburgring

BMW Team RMG driver Maxime Martin put his BMW M4 DTM on the front-row for the first race of the weekend at the Nürburgring, taking full advantage of his light car this weekend, which is 17.5kg heavier than championship leader Pascal Wehrlein.

Martin led the way throughout much of the 20-minute session, only outdone in the final moments by Mücke Motorsport driver Lucas Auer, who found a time 0.084 faster to deprive the Belgian of a potential second career pole position.

“I didn’t expect this result, which makes me even happier with second place on the grid,” said Martin. “It seems as if the Nürburgring is my territory. I’m especially pleased for BMW Team RMG that we are so close to the front at our home event here in the Eifel. Now anything is possible in the race. I’m starting from the front row, and second place is a good starting position from which to go on the attack. But we will have to wait and see: The race is long, anything can happen.”