Nico Müller: “I have never been so unhappy with a second place”

Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Nico Müller drove a hard DTM race on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps, starting from third place on the grid to finish in second place after a tough fight with fellow Audi driver René Rast.

“To be honest, I have never been so unhappy with a second place,” said the Swiss.

The Audi driver overtook Rast for the lead on lap four, managing to stay ahead after both had their mandatory stops.

The reigning champion regained the lead on lap 20 and defended hard on the last lap in order to secure the race victory.

“I think I did all the work in the race, pulling along the train in the first stint without DRS in a track where the DRS effect is huge and I had very good pace,” said Müller.

“I was able to manage the tyres and I was planning the move for the last lap, but a small glitch, in fact, he was very smart, as he lifted before Eau Rouge to pack me up and I lifted to keep the gap open and I lost momentum for a bit. But I still think I could have made it, as we got out of Eau Rouge he closed on me and I wiggled a bit, so that was my move gone.

“The rest of the lap I tried to come as close as possible, but I didn’t want to end up the race crashing against a team-mate, so it was second place in the end. Today I think the team deserved another win, but I’m confident going forward,” concluded the Swiss driver.

Müller started the season with a victory in the first race and is leaving Spa as the championship leader: “The outcome of the weekend is very good as we are leading the championship, so that’s a very good start,” said the 28-year-old.