DTM – Scheider and Audi well placed at Hockenheim

Timo Scheider gave Audi the first pole of the season at Hockenheim after qualifying in conditions where the track was gradually drying out. The German set the best time in the final session in 1'35"918, beating the BMW M3 DTM of Augusto Farfus for a tenth. “By analyzing the data collected during the winter, we obviously always hope that everything will be better for the new season”, comments the pole sitter at Hockenheim. “We had a difficult winter getting everything right in terms of development. But I also wanted to improve personally compared to other years. Being on pole after the first day of the 2013 season is an incredible feeling shared by the team. »

Behind the two Mercedes AMG C Coupé of Christian Vietoris and Robert Wickens lined up on the second row, Mattias Ekström places a second car from Ingolstadt in fifth row on the starting grid. “I am satisfied with these qualifications”, adds the Swede. “My new engineer Florian (Modlinger) and his men did a superb job on this wet track. I had more difficulty when the conditions changed and my driving was not perfect. I didn't make any mistakes but I was too careful. »

As for Adrien Tambay, the Frenchman was not unhappy with his 13th position on the grid after falling behind in the rain. “Comparing with my tests on Saturday morning, these qualifications were not bad. A slight mistake in the last corner caused me to miss Q3. I was struggling with the tires but I probably pushed too hard when the track became drier. We start in the middle of the grid, which is always a bit dangerous at Hockenheim. But I'm going to try to get off to a good start and make my way through the peloton. »