Second DTM pole for Nicki Thiim: The Aston Martin manufacturing facility driver clocked a record-breaking lap of 1:19.463 throughout Saturday’s DTM qualifying on the Lausitzring – bettering Lucas Auer’s qualifying document from the earlier yr by 0.364 seconds. The Dane was additionally 0.062 seconds quicker than HRT pilot Arjun Maini, who proved the Ford Mustang’s single-lap energy.
“This is not actually our climate, however we’ll take it with a giant smile,” the son of DTM legend Kurt Thiim advised ran.de, referring to the 28-degree warmth at 9 a.m. “The second pole of my brief DTM profession – and clearly one thing particular with Aston Martin. However yeah, that was solely half the battle,” stated the Comtoyou driver, who took his first pole in 2024 throughout his solely DTM victory on the Norisring.
A large grin was additionally seen on the face of HRT Ford driver Maini, who put the Mustang on the entrance row following sturdy leads to official testing and Friday observe. “I’m very joyful. We’ve got already seen this yr how a lot progress we’ve got made with the Ford Mustang GT3.”
Will the Ford Mustang handle the tires over the space?
The warmth doesn’t trouble the Indian driver, though the air con within the Mustang was eliminated for weight causes. “I’m fairly used to this climate,” says Maini. “I spent most of my junior racing profession in these situations, so I like the warmth.”
Whether or not it is a bonus for his automotive, nevertheless, stays the massive query: Whereas the Mustang GT3 brings the tires as much as temperature shortly in qualifying, they overheat simply as quick within the race. Tire degradation may due to this fact develop into an issue for the Evo model, regardless of higher wheel arch air flow because of the brand new rims.
Mercedes-AMG trio ready within the wings
DTM runner-up Lucas Auer (+0.160) completed in third place, main a Mercedes-AMG trio. Winward Mercedes drivers Jules Gounon (+0.250) and Maro Engel (+0.362) adopted instantly behind him in fourth and fifth.
“It wasn’t a straightforward qualifying,” Auer advised ran.de after the session. “It wasn’t simple to place myself ideally, so I am very happy.”
The Austrian was referring to his positioning earlier than his flying lap. “I used to be behind a number of totally different producers and it was messy. It wasn’t my greatest warm-up, however the lap was excellent and the tire peak was there.”
Disappointment for Porsche, debacle for BMW
How did Engel react to the consequence, given he nonetheless leads the general standings regardless of Auer’s qualifying level? “Two AMGs forward of me, so not fairly ultimate, however fifth place is definitely a beginning place from which we are able to race nicely,” he advised ran.de, pointing to the strong beginning place.
The second HRT Ford driver, Finn Wiebelhaus (+0.427), completed sixth, whereas Emil Frey Ferrari driver Matteo Cairoli (+0.438) took seventh.
The perfect Lamborghini driver was Luca Engstler (+0.517) in eleventh, making Abt Sportsline quicker than Grasser Racing. Issues didn’t go as deliberate for Porsche and BMW: Thomas Preining within the “Grello” may solely handle twelfth place, 0.540 seconds again. BMW drivers Marco Wittmann (+0.809) and Kelvin van der Linde (+0.829) ended up in the back of the sector in 18th and nineteenth.
Van der Linde jokes: “Apparently, you get slower at 30”
This occurred of all days on Kelvin van der Linde’s thirtieth birthday. “Apparently, you additionally get slower at 30,” the South African stated with a smile to ran.de. “I am second to final, so no concept – hopefully this development does not proceed.”
And this comes regardless of van der Linde having simply gained the DTM race in Zandvoort. “I’ve undoubtedly had higher emotions than being second to final,” he stated, showing puzzled. “I am a bit stunned that the tempo on the entrance was so sturdy. However what are you able to do?”
The truth that teammate Wittmann was additionally far off the lead suggests the issue doesn’t lie with the drivers. There was additionally disappointment for Timo Glock: The previous Components 1 driver, who had technical issues in Free observe, completed final within the Dorr-McLaren, 0.937 seconds again, whereas teammate Ben Dorr (+0.514) took tenth.
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
