6.5.2019. Zero points a year ago, this Time with 53 points in two days and the lead in the team standings: The Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline managed at the Hockenheimring, a good Start into the new DTM season.
“With three podium it was a strong start for us,” says Thomas Biermaier, sport Director of ABT Sportsline. “Congratulations to both riders and congratulations to the Team that worked extremely hard and really good pit stops. Build on it.“
The strong performance in Hockenheim began with a best time of Nico Müller in the first Free practice on Friday. Accordingly, great was the disappointment of the Swiss what, as he had to settle for in the rain on Saturday with tenth on the grid and eighth in the first of the two races. “Fortunately, I was able to give on Sunday is exactly the right answer, and place, with a Podium pick up,” says the Swiss. “With three Audi drivers on the Podium it was a great day for Audi and a great day for the ABBOT.”
Müller a lightning start, he improved from fourth to second place on Sunday. Although he had to leave later over René Rast, who drove with a daring Two-stop strategy to victory. The duel for second place against the BMW driver Philipp Eng, Müller decided, but also thanks to a quicker pit stops by his team.
Only 0,262 seconds behind his team-mate Robin Frijns crossed the finish line in third place after second place in the rain race on Saturday, the second Podium in a row for the Audi driver. While he improved on Saturday at the Start from fifth to second place, fell back Frijns after his so far best DTM Qualifying session on Sunday will begin from the third to the seventh place. “I had to fight back to the front – even after I had lost the boxes a little time to stop,” says Frijns. “The car was really good. Thank you to Audi and the ABT guys. So it can go more!“
In front of his “home game” in the Belgian Zolder on may 18./19. May is Frijns only three points behind the BMW-Pilot Marco Wittmann in second place in the drivers ‘ standings.
Nico Müller, René Rast, Robin Frijns (Photo: Audi Communications Motorsport / Malte Christians, To The Power Of Two )
