DTM – Gap reduced: Nico Müller celebrates second DTM victory this season

For the sixth time this season, Rast started from pole position and was leading the race when he suddenly began to lose pace on lap seven due to an electrical problem and was forced to retire. This mainly benefited Müller, who, following Rast’s retirement, was initially keeping BMW driver Marco Wittmann at bay and subsequently clinched an uncontested victory. “I finally had a good qualifying again today – not perfect, but good,” said the Swiss following his third victory in total in his DTM career. “From third on the grid, I was immediately able to improve to second position. Marco (Wittmann) was pretty strong at the beginning. But I also had the feeling that I was faster than René. When he started to have his problem I took the lead and afterwards was able to easily control the pace. I feel sorry about René. I would have rather battled with him on the track. But, obviously, I’m happy to take home the 25 points. We’re back in contention. I can hardly wait for racing to continue tomorrow.” Müller, at the same time, continued his impressive string of finishes: The Swiss scored points in a DTM race for the 17th time in a row. His teammate, Robin Frijns, by claiming second place, caused the first one-two result of a team in the new turbo era of the DTM. The Dutchman pitted one lap before Marco Wittmann and managed to overtake the BMW driver after the latter’s pit stop. On clinching the one-two success, Team Audi Sport Abt Sportsline recaptured the lead in the teams’ championship. Thanks to Mike Rockenfeller the podium was firmly in Audi’s hands for the third time this season. The 2013 DTM Champion had fought back from seventh to third place and shortly before the end of the race was engaged in a fierce duel with Marco Wittmann, which he decided in his favor with an overtaking maneuver on the outside line of Turn 1. His teammate, Loïc Duval in sixth position scored points for Audi Sport Team Phoenix as well. Pietro Fittipaldi, in seventh position, scored further points for the Audi customer team WRT Team Audi Sport. By contrast, Audi Sport Team Rosberg that had started from the front row with both cars experienced a rather rainy day. Following René Rast’s retirement, Jamie Green lost a possible podium finish due to a drive-through penalty handed to him for an unsafe release at the pit stop.