Ekstrom puts Audi on pole for opening DTM race

Mattias Ekstrom

Mattias Ekstrom won the pole position for the opening round of the 2012 DTM at Hockenheim for Audi. Jamie green was second for Mercedes, but the big surprise was BMW's Dirk Werner who shocked the paddock with third position and on the second row in BMW's return to DTM.

In qualifying at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, the Swede set a fastest lap time of 1:34.680 minutes to secure the best starting grid position.

Green missed the apex on one corner on his fast lap and he wound up 0.215 seconds behind Ekstrom, who claimed his 20th DTM pole.

Werner was most impressive for BMW

Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz presented themselves on an equal footing in the first qualifying event of the new DTM right from the first minute on. Accordingly, the three premium manufacturers delivered a thrilling battle for the top positions on the grid which FIA President Jean Todt watched on location as well. In the crucial qualifying segment (Q4) Mattias Ekstr̦m prevailed. As temperatures kept rising and grip level was degrading, he clinched the pole position on used tires with a lead of more than two tenths of a second Рmarking the 19th pole in total in his DTM career and the 65th for Audi.

"I couldn’t have wished for a better start into the new DTM," jubilated the Swede who, after 2005 and 2009, achieved the best position on the grid at the DTM opener at Hockenheim for the third time. "The first pole position for the A5 DTM on its debut – that’s simply superb! Audi Sport has built a fantastic car. We worked hard and did our homework – that paid off today. This pole belongs to everyone in Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline. The warmer it became the less grip the track had. That was incredible fun for me. The fact that it was so warm today suited me well."

Results

POS NR DRIVER ENTRANT CAR SECT. 1 SECT. 2 SECT. 3 SECT. 4
1 3 Ekstrom M. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline Red Bull Audi A5 DTM 1:34.681 1:34.123 1:34.072 1:34.680
2 5 Green J. Mercedes AMG Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:34.617 1:34.276 1:33.822 1:34.895
3 8 Werner D. BMW Team Schnitzer E-POSTBRIEF BMW M3 DTM 1:34.689 1:34.153 1:34.076 1:36.276
4 21 Mortara E. Audi Sport Team Rosberg Playboy Audi A5 DTM 1:34.655 1:34.077 1:34.195
5 9 Rockenfeller M.Audi Sport Team Phoenix Schaeffler Audi A5 DTM 1:34.062 1:34.166 1:34.264
6 11 Paffett G. THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:34.660 1:34.147 1:34.287
7 15 Priaulx A. BMW Team RBM Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM 1:34.422 1:34.385 1:34.299
8 4 Scheider T. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline AUTO TEST Audi A5 DTM 1:34.260 1:34.298 1:34.389
9 7 Spengler B. BMW Team Schnitzer BMW Bank M3 DTM 1:34.099 1:33.963 1:34.512
10 1 Tomczyk M. BMW Team RMG BMW M Performance Zubehör M3 DTM 1:34.816 1:34.158 1:34.819
11 6 Schumacher R. Mercedes AMG Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:34.550 1:34.390
12 18 Tambay A. Audi Sport Team Abt Audi ultra A5 DTM 1:34.791 1:34.509
13 20 Wickens R. stern Mercedes AMG stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:34.911 1:34.538
14 22 Albuquerque F. Audi Sport Team Rosberg TV Movie Audi A5 DTM 1:34.659 1:34.555
15 12 Vietoris C. Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Coupé 1:34.685 1:34.783
16 2 Hand J. BMW Team RMG SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM 1:34.658 1:35.140
17 10 Molina M. Audi Sport Team Phoenix Red Bull Audi A5 DTM 1:34.926
18 19 Coulthard D. DHL Paket Mercedes AMG DHL Paket Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:34.932
19 16 Farfus A. BMW Team RBM Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM 1:35.104
20 23 Merhi R. Junge Sterne Mercedes AMG Junge Sterne Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:35.167
21 24 Wolff S. TV SPIELFILM Mercedes AMG TV SPIELFILM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé 1:35.776
22 17 Frey R. Audi Sport Team Abt E-POSTBRIEF Audi A5 DTM 1:36.012