Bruno Spengler is back - pole position at Oschersleben

Oschersleben. When three people quarrel, the fourth rejoices. Canadian Bruno Spengler, fourth in the drivers’ standings, showed a dominant performance in qualifying for the eighth DTM season round at the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben and claimed pole position.

With his BMW M3 DTM, the reigning DTM champion completed his lap in the decisive fourth qualifying heat in 1:20.140 minutes. Jamie Green ended up second fastest with his Audi RS 5 DTM. Brasilian Augusto Farfus (BMW) will be starting from third place into the 400th race in history of the DTM, just ahead of point’ leader Mike Rockenfeller (Audi).

Spengler said about his second pole position of the season: “After two non-scores in the previous races, this pole is really good. The car was very fast and it was great fun. For me, it is just maximum attack from now on. ’Rocky’ is clearly in the lead and I have to be up front and win all the time.”

With second place on the grid, Audi driver Green claimed his best qualifying result of the season to date. “I am very happy with my second place. With the rain, it wasn’t easy for me, but I chose a good line and now, I am really looking forward to the race,” Green said.

Rockenfeller, who is 35 points clear in the drivers’ standings, made it into the final qualifying heat as the fastest driver, but then only ended up fourth. “Too bad. When you make it that far, you want to be all the way up front as well. Because of the changeable conditions, qualifying wasn’t easy. I would be happy to fight for victory with Bruno tomorrow,” said ’Rocky’, who could benefit from the bad luck for his two main rivals in the battle for the DTM title.

Mercedes-Benz drivers Christian Vietoris and Robert Wickens retired early and thus failed to claim better starting grid positions. Canadian Wickens will be starting from eleventh position as the best-placed Mercedes-Benz driver, Vietoris will be starting from 20th place into the race on Sunday.

For Gary Paffett and Daniel Juncadella (both Mercedes-Benz), there had already been bad news before qualifying. After they had used unmarked tyres in free practice, they were dropped five places on the grid by the stewards. Paffett, who had been fastest driver of a DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé on the track, will therefore start from twelfth place, Juncadella will start from 22nd position.

Prior to the race on Sunday, Rockenfeller is leading in the drivers’ standings with 106 points from Vietoris with 71 and Wickens with 70 points. In fourth place, defending champion Spengler has 67 points, Farfus has 66. The eighth round of the season will cover 51 laps and 188.496 kilometres and will start on Sunday at 13.30 hrs. German TV channel ARD will be broadcasting live from 13.15 hrs.

DTM Series