Red Bull Ring – Qualifying 2: Kelvin van der Linde makes his return with a pole position, Jules Gounon 4th

Le DTMIt's like riding a bike: you never forget. After a year's absence, Kelvin van der Linde (BMW) showed he hadn't lost any of his driving skill in the German championship, securing his 10th pole position after a controlled qualifying session. Red Bull ring.

The 2024 runner-up finished ahead of the surprising Finn Wiebelhaus who, like Ben Dörr on Saturday during Qualifying 1, caused a stir by placing 2nd for his first DTM weekend with the Ford Mustang.

The German is ahead of a trio of Mercedes Benzled by Lucas Auer, third, ahead of Jules Gounon and Maro Engel, the poleman of Race 1. For Gounon, this offers a new opportunity to believe in the podium after the heartbreak of the first race, where a mechanical problem forced him to retire two minutes from the end while he was 2nd.

Behind them follow the Porsche Bastian Buus had a solid weekend. Fourth at the checkered flag in the first race, the Dane, in the No. 29 Land Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R EVO, was ultimately penalized and relegated outside the top 10. He will have another opportunity to fight for the podium, as will his compatriot Nicki Thiim (Aston Martin). The driver for the Belgian team Comtoyou Racing had a successful start to his season in the GT World Challenge by winning with Marco Sørensen and Mattia Drudi at the 6 Hours of Castellet, but he is currently a discreet contender in the DTM, where he finished 18th last year.

However, disappointment came from Race 1 winner Thomas Preining. The 2023 champion only managed a modest 14th place and seems destined for a miracle to retain his championship lead.

Race 2 will be available to follow from 13:30pm.

ALSO READ > Red Bull Ring – Race 1: Thomas Preining first winner, cruel end for Jules Gounon

DTM – Red Bull Ring
The ranking of Qualifications 2