The results that proved disappointing for Audi had already become apparent in the morning’s qualifying session. Reigning DTM Champion René Rast in ninth place was the only Audi driver in the top ten. Mike Rockenfeller trailed him in eleventh position on the grid and the other five Audi RS 5 DTM cars in positions 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
In the race, the Audi drivers chose various strategies. Most successful were Rast and Duval who only changed tires after the race’s midpoint and made up several positions with fresher tires on the last laps. Nico Müller (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) pitted late as well but was struggling with vibrations following his pit stop. He finished in position 13. Following an early stop, Mike Rockenfeller was running in sixth position some of the time but dropped to 14th in the final stage. Mattias Ekström, Robin Frijns and Jamie Green saw the checkered flag in positions 17, 18 and 19.