Mattias Ekström (Audi A5) clinched the first pole position of the new DTM era, and its new technical regulations, ahead of Jamie Green’s C Class Mercedes Coupe, while BMW made great debuts in its return, with Dirk Werner going third fastest.
Audi was the great winner of this first qualifying session of the season, but the BMW performance was unexpected.
After a tough first free practice session, the M3 DTM were quick in the qualifying session, and Dirk Werner was able to reach Q4 to fight for pole position, and finally set the third best performance.
Bruno Spengler was in the top of the time sheet in Q1 and Q2, but failed to qualify for Q4 – going only ninth fastest in Q3. But it was a very encouraging debut for
"On the one hand I am very happy with our performance at the DTM season-opener," Spengler said.
"On the other hand, I would obviously have liked to qualify for Q4 and challenge for pole position. The times in the first few sessions showed that we could have achieved something special. Despite this, it was a really good start for our team."
The other Canadian driver, Mercedes' Robert Wickens, will start from 13th position on the grid for his DTM debuts.
Qualifying results – DTM (Hockenheim)
1. Mattias Ekstrom (Audi A5) - Abt - 1min34.680s - Q4
2. Jamie Green (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1min34.895s - Q4
3. Dirk Werner (BMW M3) - Schnitzer - 1min36.276s - Q4
4. Edoardo Mortara (Audi A5) - Rosberg - no time - Q4
5. Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A5) - Phoenix - 1min34.264s - Q3
6. Gary Paffett (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1min34.287s - Q3
7. Andy Priaulx (BMW M3) - RBM - 1min34.299s - Q3
8. Timo Scheider (Audi A5) - Abt - 1min34.389s - Q3
9. Bruno Spengler (BMW M3) - Schnitzer - 1min34.512s - Q3
10. Martin Tomczyk (BMW M3) - RMG - 1min34.819s - Q3
Etc.
Audi was the great winner of this first qualifying session of the season, but the BMW performance was unexpected.
After a tough first free practice session, the M3 DTM were quick in the qualifying session, and Dirk Werner was able to reach Q4 to fight for pole position, and finally set the third best performance.
Bruno Spengler was in the top of the time sheet in Q1 and Q2, but failed to qualify for Q4 – going only ninth fastest in Q3. But it was a very encouraging debut for
"On the one hand I am very happy with our performance at the DTM season-opener," Spengler said.
"On the other hand, I would obviously have liked to qualify for Q4 and challenge for pole position. The times in the first few sessions showed that we could have achieved something special. Despite this, it was a really good start for our team."
The other Canadian driver, Mercedes' Robert Wickens, will start from 13th position on the grid for his DTM debuts.
Qualifying results – DTM (Hockenheim)
1. Mattias Ekstrom (Audi A5) - Abt - 1min34.680s - Q4
2. Jamie Green (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1min34.895s - Q4
3. Dirk Werner (BMW M3) - Schnitzer - 1min36.276s - Q4
4. Edoardo Mortara (Audi A5) - Rosberg - no time - Q4
5. Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A5) - Phoenix - 1min34.264s - Q3
6. Gary Paffett (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1min34.287s - Q3
7. Andy Priaulx (BMW M3) - RBM - 1min34.299s - Q3
8. Timo Scheider (Audi A5) - Abt - 1min34.389s - Q3
9. Bruno Spengler (BMW M3) - Schnitzer - 1min34.512s - Q3
10. Martin Tomczyk (BMW M3) - RMG - 1min34.819s - Q3
Etc.