Qualification – Scheider continues his progress … alone

Timo Scheider secures pole position for the Oschersleben race that will take place tomorrow. But it wasn’t so simple…

The Audi driver, who has dominated all sessions so far this race weekend, nearly got eliminated in the first part of the qualifications when the front right of his bodywork fell off after hitting the edge of a curb.

He took charge of the track with only one chance to advance to the next level, and calmly set the fastest time.

Being on pole again is a great emotion. We have been able to improve our performance in Hockenheim. Here, the first qualifying session wasn’t ideal, but it’s important to keep calm, said Scheider.

Tom Kristensen was pipped at the post by the German. The Dane is second on the starting grid.

Kristensen commented: « I knew I had a chance for the pole, but I wasn’t sure I had Timo’s speed. »

The third part of the qualifying session included 14 drivers instead of the usual 8. Indeed, the second part was marked by a red flag and, after it was lifted, only 90 seconds remained.

Several drivers, including Martin Tomczyk and Paul di Resta, were not even in the top 8 after Alexandre Premat’s accident, which caused this flag. The officials decided to keep all the drivers in the last section.

Tomczyk took advantage of this second chance to settle in third place, while Oliver Jarvis in a 2007 version Audi is fourth.

Bruno Spengler is the lead Mercedes driver, he is fifth, but the Canadian is half a second behind the pole man.

« Fifth on the starting grid is a disappointment for me, but everything is still possible. The practice sessions were not that bad. I am convinced that we can have a good start and that a podium finish is achievable, » stated Spengler.

Di Resta and Jamie Green were slightly slower than their HWA teammate, but behind them, the reigning champion, Mattias Ekstrom, is only 8th.

Ralf Schumacher improved his performance from Hockenheim by participating in the second qualifying session for the first time in his career. But in the end, he is 13th.

Qualifying Result – Oschersleben