Difficult qualifying for Audi
- DTM Oschersleben: Molina and Mortara on fifth row of the grid
- Leader of the standings Ekström at rear of the field
Merely 198 thousandths of a second Miguel Molina in the Teufel Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline was short of the top spot in qualifying for the first of the two DTM races at Oschersleben. Still, the Spaniard as the best Audi driver only clinched position nine on the grid.
On Saturday morning, the patience of the DTM fans at the Motorsport Arena was tested. Due to fog the second free practice session was moved from 8.20 to 11.20 and reduced to 25 minutes. Qualifying immediately followed free practice.
The change in schedule had massive consequences for the leader of the standings. Following a minor slip in free practice, Mattias Ekström’s Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM had to be repaired in the area of the front section. After the successful repair, the Swede was able to start qualifying halfway through the session but, following a flying lap, immediately returned to the pits. “Due to an electronic issue the transmission couldn’t be shifted anymore,” said Ekström. The DTM’s parc fermé rules prevented a repair and relegated Ekström to the rear of the field. “That’s an extreme shame after my mechanics had once more done such a tremendous job.”
Following the qualifying session, the mechanics of Ekström’s teammate Miguel Molina had some additional work to do as well. After having set his fastest lap, the Spaniard slipped off track and touched the guard rails. “I only got off track with one wheel but on the wet grass there was no stopping,” said Molina. His teammate Edoardo Molina Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM is joining him on the fifth row of the grid for the first race at 14.55.