Bittersweet day for Loïc Duval at Assen

Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver Loïc Duval claimed pole position for the first DTM round at Assen. Despite leading the initial stages of the race, the Frenchman lost the top spot to Robin Frijns and had to settle for second.

“Overall, I’m happy but disappointed to not win the race,” said Duval after the race.

“We were struggling with the tyres. In the first stint it was the rear tyres dropping and, in the second stint, it was the front.

“I spent a lot of time at the front and, because of that, Robin was able to catch us on DRS and push-to-pass. I pitted two laps before him, which is a lot in terms of tyre degradation. I was able to use the DRS and push-to-pass in the end but was never able to be close enough.”

The Frenchman is still looking for his first DTM victory and has claimed three podiums so far this year. The result has placed Duval in fourth position of the drivers’ championship with 57 points.