“I enjoyed the race,” said Frijns. “I didn’t make such a good start from seventh on the grid, but was able to overtake two cars around the outside in turn one and retake my position. Afterwards I was quick and could fight at the end with the Mercedes-Benz. Unfortunately overtaking in Zandvoort is difficult. We had the speed. Now we have to see if we can make a step forward for tomorrow.”
His Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline teammate Nico Müller was equally fast. The Swiss driver started the race from eighth on the grid and after his tire change rejoined the circuit ahead of Frijns. After 17 laps Müller reported a loss of pressure in the left-front tire. His attempt to save changing tires a second time failed: as a result of a tire failure shortly after, Müller slid from the track and had to retire.
The accident prompted deployment of the safety car, which indirectly destroyed René Rast’s race. The defending DTM Champion from Audi Sport Team Rosberg was leading the race at this time, and was the only driver to have not completed his mandatory pit stop, which left him only 17th place at the checkered flag.
Rast’s team mate Jamie Green scored one point: the Briton stopped after only one lap and with this strategy fought his way up from 17th on the grid to tenth place. Audi Sport Team Phoenix remained without points with positions eleventh (Loïc Duval) and 15th (Mike Rockenfeller).
The second race in Zandvoort starts on Sunday at 1:30 PM CEST.
Robin Frijns put in a strong performance in his first home race in the DTM: the Dutchman was the best Audi driver on Saturday in Zandvoort in both qualifying and the race. Furthermore, with his fifth place the rookie claimed his best result so far in the DTM.
