Actually, following the qualifying session, an Audi show was not yet a likely prospect. Edoardo Mortara started from position six as the best Audi driver. Jamie Green, Miguel Molina and Mattias Ekström followed in grid positions seven, eight and ten.
In the race, as has often been the case this season, the Audi RS 5 DTM was the most powerful car. Mortara immediately made up two positions at the start, subsequently stayed on the heels of the leading trio and had a clear track when the three cars in front of him pitted early for the tire change. Mortara only pitted on lap 28 and returned to the track in second place. After overtaking the Mercedes-Benz of the fastest driver in qualifying, Lucas Auer, the Audi driver brought victory home in commanding style.
“On the last lap, I was even able to jest a little with my team over the radio,” said Mortara. “In qualifying, we were struggling a bit, but on used tires, my car was perfect the whole weekend. The only critical moment was the pit stop when I nearly slipped off track on entering the pit lane – that was really hairy.”
Leader of the standings Marco Wittmann (BMW) saw the checkered flag on Sunday in third place, trailing birthday child Lucas Auer. Wittmann still came close to being intercepted on the finish line by Mattias Ekström in the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM, who drove practically with no holds barred, having battled his way forward from position ten on the grid to fourth place. Ekström had youngster Nico Müller in the Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM in tow, who even improved by nine positions in the race. Last year’s winner Miguel Molina in the Teufel Audi RS 5 DTM completed the strong performance delivered by Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline in position ten.