DTM QUALIFYING @ HOCKENHEIM // TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT?

With both title contenders separated by just .032 of a second at Hockenheim, the competition could not be closer. Gary Paffett and Timo Scheider will line up 2nd and 3rd on the grid for tomorrow's final race of the 2009 DTM season. Pole went to the Red Bull Audi of Mattias Ekstrom, champion in 2004 and 2007, but only by less than a tenth of a second from both Paffett and Scheider (above). The 2nd Mercedes on the starting grid tomorrow will be the AMG car of Scotland's Paul Di Resta who still has the chance to overhaul Exstrom to finish 3rd in the championship.

Speaking after qualifying Paffett said " I have to finish first or second while Timo may not be any better than sixth. If this happens I can make up my deficit. Becoming the winner in the final round of the season would be nice. We are very positive and optimistic going into the race”.

Paffett surely must be relishing the chance to start on the front row after recent poor qualifying performances but having his rival just behind rather diminishes his chances... [read more]

Scheider who must of been happy to make it on to the second row of the grid after his disastrous staring spot at Dijon commented "I am very happy with third place as we have done everything right and are prepared in the best possible way. In the race, I have to be better than sixth. The weather conditions for tomorrow are not making things easy. Taking too many risks would be stupid so I will try to achieve a good start and survive the first three corners without any contact. I am looking forward to a great finale”.

With Exstrom (below) on pole and plenty of Audi support in the top ten spots Paffett and Mercedes's chances are undeniably slim but with the weather set to play it's part who knows?



Top Ten Qualifying Times:

Pos. Driver / Entrant Laps Time Gap
1. Mattias Ekström - Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline Red Bull Audi A4 DTM 2 1:32.525
2. Gary Paffett Salzgitter - AMG Mercedes Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Klasse 2 1:32.591 00.066
3. Timo Scheider - Audi Sport Team Abt GW:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM 2 1:32.613 00.088
4. Paul Di Resta - AMG Mercedes AMG Mercedes C-Klasse 2 1:32.787 00.262
5. Tom Kristensen - Audi Sport Team Abt 100 Jahre Audi - A4 DTM 4 1:32.340 00.446
6. Oliver Jarvis - Audi Sport Team Phoenix Audi A4 DTM 3 1:32.504 00.610
7. Martin Tomczyk - Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline Red Bull Cola Audi A4 DTM 5 1:32.661 00.767
8. Maro Engel - GQ AMG Mercedes GQ AMG Mercedes C-Klasse 3 1:32.774 00.880
9. Jamie Green - Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes C-Klasse 6 1:32.612 00.532
10. Mike Rockenfeller - Audi Sport Team Rosberg S line Audi A4 DTM 6 1:32.763 00.683


Photo: DTM.com
Editorial: Neil Tozer