René Rast flies to pole position at the Nürburgring
Audi Sport Team Rosberg driver René Rast scored his seventh pole position of the season and increased his lead in the DTM standings after topping the times in qualifying of the opening race at the Nürburgring
The entire field took to the track for the first run of the session, with Rast and local hero Mike Rockenfeller battling for the top spot on the time sheets in the early stages. After three flying laps, Rast held top spot with a time of 1:20.170, just 0.047 seconds ahead of Rockenfeller, before all drivers returned to the pits to prepare for their final runs.
The final run was unusually competitive, with most drivers improving their previous lap times and with BMW Motorsport on an the offensive to try and get onto the front row of the grid.
Lap times fell quickly as Rast, Rockenfeller and BMW Team RBM’s Sheldon van der Linde alternated at the top spot, with Rast prevailing in the end with a lap time of 1:19.642. BMW Team RMG driver Bruno Spengler got himself into the mix as he climbed to second place, 0.180 seconds behind Rast.
Team Abt Sportsline’s Nico Müller had a mixed session but was able to improve on his final flying lap despite going wide coming out of the chicane to finish third, 0.266 seconds behind.
Although most drivers crossed the finish line in time for a final flying lap, their attempts were aborted as the yellow flag waved in the final sector thanks to the BMW of Philipp Eng stopping on track with a gearbox issue.
Rockenfeller was fourth in the end, followed by WRT’s Jonathan Aberdein, only there-tenths off the pace. Van der Linde was sixth, followed by fellow BMW driver Timo Glock.
Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver Loïc Duval was eighth, followed by Team Rosberg’s Jamie Green, with Team Abt Sportsline’s Robin Frijns completing the top ten, 0.573 seconds behind Rast.
BMW Team RMG’s Marco Wittmann had a dismal session only managing to finish eleventh, with the 29-year-old needing a very creative strategy this afternoon to remain in the fight for the title.
Paul di Resta was again the fastest driver for R-Motorsport in 14th place, 0.860 seconds off the pace.
“I have a good feeling, starting the weekend with the pole position,” Rast said after the session. “I wasn’t so sure yesterday and I have two more points for the championship, but I have Nico right behind, so I’m not so sure.”
WRT’s Pietro Fittipaldi was handed a warning for crossing the White line at the end of the pit lane during free practice. As it was his third warning of the season, the Brazilian got a five-place grid drop for Race 1’s grid.
The start of Race 1 is scheduled for 13:30 CEST.
