Nico Müller: “It was a bad time for the first jump start of my life!”

Nico Müller had his chances of challenging fellow Audi driver René Rast ruined as he had a jump start on Saturday’s race at the Nürburgring, leading to his first non-points scoring result of the season.

Müller had a difficult first part of the qualifying session, managing to mend it in his final run with third place, as Rast scored his seventh pole position of the season.

Things, however, didn’t go to plan as the Swiss driver clearly jumped the start, receiving a drive-through penalty which was the beginning of a downward spiral for the Team Abt Sportsline’s man.

“Obviously it wasn’t the day we’d hoped for,” he said. “Qualifying was ok, we achieved P3, so everything was possible in the race, even though we had a bit of traffic, so I think we had a good car and I was confident going into the race.

“I think today we saw a new record of how long those red lights can stay on. My clutch didn’t really like it and I lost control before the red lights went out. I had the little jump and I knew I would get the penalty for a jump start. It was the first jump start of my life, so bad timing for it to happen.”

Müller served his penalty on lap three, deciding to change tyres a lap later, a move that would penalise the Swiss, who had to come for fresh rubber again on lap 29, to finish 16th at the chequered flag.

Despite not scoring points for the first time in the season, Müller remains encouraged to keep his title chances alive, albeit falling 47 points behind Rast with 84 still in play.

“Still, theoretically, everything is possible, so all eyes on tomorrow, full focus, will fight back and try to fight for the win in tomorrow’s race,” he said.