DTM - Preining sets new qualifying record, Aitken on pole at Sachsenring
Thomas Preining made a big statement in the first qualifying session at the Sachsenring. The reigning DTM champion from the Manthey EMA team set a new qualifying record of 1:17.199 minutes in a Porsche 911 GT3 R. However, the Austrian has been relegated five places on the grid, after picking up a third warning at the last race weekend. As such, Ferrari driver Jack Aitken, who was second fastest in qualifying, will start race eleven of the season from pole position.
“I am happy that we are finally back competing at the front again. The rear engine makes it a real challenge for us to get the front-left tyre up to the right temperature for the many left turns. Overtaking is not really easy at the Sachsenring, but with the right strategy we can make something happen,” said Preining, who picked up three bonus points as the fastest driver in qualifying. Britain’s Aitken was just 0.089 seconds slower in a Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Emil Frey Racing. Preining’s penalty means he will start the race from the front of the grid.
“At first, I was not sure what the situation was with Thomas Preining. The fact that I will be on pole makes it all the sweeter for me. That is particularly important at the narrow Sachsenring. With temperatures around 45 degrees in the car, I will definitely be made to sweat. However, I am determined to get my third win of the season,” said the 28-year-old.
Mirko Bortolotti from SSR Performance was third fastest and will join Aitken on the front row of the grid in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. Lining up behind him will be Luca Stolz and Arjun Maini, who both race for Mercedes-AMG Team HRT. Maro Engel starts fifth in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, next to Preining, who will be looking to fight back from sixth place in Saturday’s race at the Sachsenring.
The first qualifying session on Saturday morning saw the 20 drivers take their time before launching their pursuit of the fastest lap on the undulating, 3.645-kilometre track. Once they did, however, the lap times tumbled. With roughly five minutes of the session remaining, Stolz became the first DTM driver to break the 1:18-minute mark this weekend. Just a few seconds later, he was knocked off top spot by Bortolotti, before Preining set the new qualifying record on his fifth lap. Shortly before the end, Aitken climbed into second place. Championship leader Kelvin van der Linde from Abt Sportsline had to settle for ninth place in his Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2.
Results are HERE
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