Albers Claims DTM Pole
AMG Mercedes driver Christijan Albers secured his first DTM pole position today [Saturday] at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, benefiting from the wet and rainy conditions, to post a best time of 1m 45.026s. Although conditions made it somewhat a lottery, it was Albers that emerged on top in both normal qualifying and the superpole.
“It was very exciting because you could sit and watch what the others were doing,” said Albers.“I saw that Mattias Ekstr?m was doing very well with slicks. The first and second sections were already dry it was only the end that was still very wet. I’m really chuffed about pole position as I didn’t do so well here last year.”
Swede Mattias Ekstr?m in an Audi A4 DTM placed second, five tenths of a second behind. Ekstr?m was the first driver to exit onto the track with slicks.
“Today was the first time that I’ve driven the A4 in the rain ? it was very exciting,” noted Ekstrom. “It went well. I came third in qualifying with a minimal time difference. The super pole was all about trying to keep the car on the track amid these difficult conditions. Although pole position could have been possible if it had been dry, I’m still pleased I’m starting from the first row.”
Former Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi opted for rain tyres and came third, 4.391 seconds off the pace.
“Nobody pulled off a perfect lap today in such conditions,” commented Alesi. “In this respect I’m satisfied with the result. It’s a good starting position for the race. I hope it’s dry tomorrow - not only for the drivers but also for the spectators. They support us everywhere. I really appreciate that the DTM is so open towards the fans.”
Last year’s runner-up Peter Dumbreck will start in fourth position in his Opel Vectra GTS V8 ahead of last year’s winner Bernd Schneider.
