With 18 out of 27 possible podium finishes, Audi has managed an impressive start to the DTM’s turbo era with the new RS 5 DTM. After the first half of the season, two Audi drivers – René Rast (145 points) and Nico Müller (121) – are heading the standings. In difficult conditions on Saturday, both extended their advantage over third-placed BMW driver Philipp Eng with strong performances. In the manufacturers’ championship, with 508 points Audi clearly leads ahead of BMW (388). In the teams’ championship, two Audi teams – Audi Sport Team Rosberg and Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline – are the front runners.
Heavy rain made the first DTM race in the “Cathedral of Speed” tricky, especially in the early stage. “We had aquaplaning in many sections. It was difficult to keep the car on track,” said Nico Müller, who on the first ten laps fought back from sixth on the grid to third position. “I lost a bit too much time to the leaders in the process.”
Müller changed tires only shortly before the end of the race and at the pit stop maintained first place in front of Marco Wittmann (BMW) and René Rast, who had been battling head to head for the lead straight from the start. “Unfortunately, it took a little longer than I was hoping to get the new rain tires to work. That’s why Marco got past me,” said Müller. “He deserved winning today.”
“The duel with Marco obviously cost a lot of time, so Nico rejoined the race in front of us,” said Rast, who finished third behind Wittmann and Müller. It was anything but a perfect race. Even so, it ended in a podium and I continue to lead the championship. Tomorrow we’re going to attack again.”