DTM Spielberg 2015
Edoardo Mortara

In spite of an injury on his left thumb – the consequence of a sporting accident – Edoardo Mortara started the Austrian round of the DTM at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg with a best time. In the Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, he relegated Mercedes driver Gary Paffett to second place by 0.073 seconds in the first free practice session on Friday afternoon.

Mortara set his best time of 1m 25.585s right at the beginning of the session on his ninth lap. “Being in the top spot of the time sheets is always a nice feeling even though it was just the first free practice,” the Italian said. “The car feels good. I’m hoping for us to be able to continue on the same level tomorrow.”

Mortara celebrated his first DTM victory at Spielberg in 2012 and is a great fan of the Red Bull Ring: “I not only like the track but also the great surroundings and the people. And, obviously, I’ve got very fond memories of 2012.”

With Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM) in third place and Adrien Tambay (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM) in position nine, two other Audi drivers made it into the top ten on Friday.