Lausitz: Abt Sportsline qualifying notes

Abt driver Mattias Ekström makes it to first grid row

In an exciting timed practice and the subsequent "Super-Pole" single-lap qualifying, Mattias Ekström only just missed out on pole position for the fourth round of the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters): the Swede will be starting from the first grid row alongside former DTM-champion Bernd Schneider.

Reigning champion Laurent Aiello also got himself a good position to start from with seventh place on the grid, while Karl Wendlinger and Christian Abt will be starting the race from tenth and eleventh place respectively.

The two Abt-Audi TT-Rs of Aiello and Abt are running in an unusual design: after the regular cars of the two stalwarts were significantly damaged in accidents on Friday, they changed to the silver-red coloured cars of Martin Tomczyk and Peter Terting. The two juniors will be back for Abt Sportsline's home event at the Norisring.

Quotes after qualifying

Mattias Ekström (Super Pole, 1.39.930 min., 2nd place):

"Of course, pole position would have been great. But the car was good, I have given everything and I didn't make any mistakes. This is all one can do on Saturday. Now, I hope that I will have a similarly good start like I had at the Nürburgring and that I can keep Bernd (Schneider) in control right away. So far, I have always been on the podium at the EuroSpeedway, and I prefer to keep it that that way."

Laurent Aiello (Super Pole, 1.40.435 min., 7th place):

"During the Super Pole, I made a slight mistake. During my warm-up lap, it already was very slippery there, but I still had to push when it counted. Changing to Martin's car is difficult: in many situations, his TT-R is reacting differently from my number one. But it is getting better and better. Tomorrow, I will do everything to reward him for his team spirit with a good result."

Karl Wendlinger (Super Pole, 1.41.583 min., 10th place):

"During the Super Pole, I had no grip whatsoever. In timed practice already, my best lap was the third, rather than the first. Nevertheless, the result is all right. In three out of four races this year, I have been in Super Pole. Now, we will try and find a good strategy for the race."

Christian Abt (1.40.391 min.,11th place):

"Peter's TT-R is becoming more and more my car with every lap. Come the time of the race, I probably will have got used to it perfectly. I am much satisfied with the result in timed practice. The car was good enough for a top tenn position in any case, and that is what I want to achieve in the race."

Hans-Jürgen Abt (team principal):

"I am happy with our place on the first row of the grid. Three of our remaining four cars are among the top ten. Christian has been working in a great way and only just missed out on the Super Pole. The two accidents yesterday were a setback for us, but anyone who knows us, also knows that something like this is just making us stronger."

-abtsportsline-