DTM
A1-Ring: Abt Sportsline qualifying report
Abt Sportsline starts into the title duel with two front runners In qualifying for the eighth round of the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), the Team Abt Sportsline has created itself an ideal position for the title fight: points leader Laurent ...
Published: Sep 9, 2002, 6:23 PM
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Abt Sportsline starts into the title duel with two front runners
In qualifying for the eighth round of the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), the Team Abt Sportsline has created itself an ideal position for the title fight: points leader Laurent Aiello will be starting from pole-position at the A1-Ring on Sunday alongside his Swedish team-mate Mattias Ekström.
Defending champion Bernd Schneider will be starting directly behind them. Should Aiello score two points more than the Mercedes-driver, the title will go to the Allgäu early. With Martin Tomczyk in fifth and Christian Abt in tenth place, two more Abt drivers have made it into the top ten. Local hero Karl Wendlinger will be starting his overtaking race at his home round from 13th position. The ARD will be covering live from 15.05.
Quotes after the qualifying
Laurent Aiello (1m 27.588s, 1st place):
"To be honest, I am surprised to be on pole-position. Bernd was faster throughout the week-end, but today, I just had the better laps. Maybe, that is the little bit of luck that one needs when competing for the title. Today, we have just made a small step, now we are totally focussing on the race."
Mattias Ekström (1m 27.648s, 2nd place):
"Laurent's pole is the best thing that could have happened for our team today. On my final lap, I gave everything I had, I was almost beyond the limit and unfortunately, I was briefly off the track on one occasion. We have a strong car and we know what it is about for Laurent and our team tomorrow. Of course, I will give everything for that, too."
Martin Tomczyk (1m 27.985s, 5th place):
"I did my fastest lap of the entire week-end exactly at the right time: in qualifying. For the race, I now have the very best viewing place, like in the cinema. I am certain that we will already have a turbulent qualification race. At least I want to get a little bit closer to the top..."
Christian Abt (1m 28.215s, 10th place):
"My car was okay, I also managed to get all the sectors right on one lap. Unfortunately, I had slight brake problems in my two final attempts. Nevertheless, the time is all right. This is what things are like in the DTM: you are only half a second slower than the front runners and still, you are only tenth."
Karl Wendlinger (1m 28.459s, 13th place):
"Of course, I am disappointed with my qualifying position, especially, as things were still going so well this morning. My car was oversteering and in the end, I also had bad luck, because I had to abandon my attempt because of a yellow flag. Now, the pressure for tomorrow is gone: I have nothing to lose in 13th place and I can just attack without any tactics."
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team boss):
"Despite of the great pressure, my entire crew has remained calm today and worked professionally. I am very proud of that. With Laurent's pole-position, we shouldn't forget Mattias either. With the performance he has shown this year, he could be a title contender just as well."
-abtsportsline-
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