Hockenheimring pole earned by Farfus ahead of Paffett and Spengler

Advantage Gary Paffett: the Brit to start ahead of Bruno Spengler

Hockenheim. Fans can look forward to a thrilling DTM finale at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. In qualifying for the final DTM round of the season, there was another entertaining head-to-head duel between the two main title candidates Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) and Bruno Spengler (BMW). Paffett was a little bit faster and and ended up second in qualifying, one place ahead of Spengler. His advantage was only seven thousandths of a second.

BMW driver Augusto Farfus from Brazil secured his second consecutive pole position. “I really had hoped for a top five result, but of course, being on pole is the icing on the cake,” Farfus said. The third remaining title candidate Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz) failed to make it into the final session of the four-heat shoot-out qualifying and will be starting from tenth place. As a result, his chances of winning the title are merely mathematic.

Gary Paffett was very happy after qualifying, “I am really very relaxed. We have worked hard on the car and prepared everything for the finale. It is great to drive. Even though I am surrounded by two BMWs at the start, I am not worried. They are all fair racing drivers, who want to win as well, but surely will behave correctly.”

Bruno Spengler was also very confident: “I an in the best position to overtake Gary. I am only one place behind him and, of course, I will do everything to be in front of him at the end. I am really looking forward to the race, it will surely be an interesting battle.”

In fourth position, Swede Mattias Ekström was the best-placed Audi driver on Saturday. “I am happy, because I have been trying to find a perfect set-up for qualifying for a couple of races. Today, I managed to do so, the car was spot on. I made the maximum of our opportunities. I am happy to be in the best place to watch the finale between Gary (Paffett) and Bruno (Spengler) tomorrow, right behind the two of them,” Ekström said.

The two Scottish drivers, Susie Wolff and David Coulthard (both Mercedes-Benz) announced their retirement from the DTM and will be starting from the last row on the grid for their final race.

The final DTM round will start on Sunday at 14.00 h (CET). ARD is broadcasting live from 13.45 h.

Source: DTM