High four at Zolder: Rast ahead of Müller, ultimate DTM showdown at Hockenheim
Drama until the very end, René Rast versus Nico Müller: the big showdown of the DTM at Hockenheim from 6-8 November will turn into an open duel between the defending champion from Germany and his challenger from Switzerland. Robin Frijns (NED), the third Audi driver in the circle of the title candidates, only has theoretical chances after innocently having become involved in an accident at Zolder.
The former Grand Prix circuit in Belgium provided drama in the battle for the DTM title. Since the start of the season, Müller had been leading the drivers’ standings and had an advantage of 47 points over third-placed Rast. Rast, however, conquered Zolder, won all four races on the two back-to-back weekends and turned around the tables in an unexpected, but impressive way. Now, Rast is heading towards the traditional finale at the Motodrom in Baden-Württemberg with a margin of 19 points from Müller. For Müller, meanwhile, second place in the race on Sunday was his best result at Zolder. In the 16th of this season’s 18 races, Pole Robert Kubica sparked a surprise. By virtue of a clever strategy and entertaining overtaking manoeuvres, the ex-Formula 1 driver worked his way up to finish third, his maiden podium finish in his first DTM season. In the process, Kubica also kept all the six works BMWs at bay.
A pair of safety car interventions, drama for Frijns
At the start, Müller made it already clear that he is not one to give in early in the battle for the title. The Swiss had a rocket start, opting for the middle to move up between compatriot Fabio Scherer (Audi) and Frijns, his teammate in the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, from fifth to third place. At the front of the field, Ferdinand Habsburg, who had claimed a convincing maiden pole position with the privateer Audi of the WRT team, initially was in control and maintained the lead while Rast remained within striking distance in second place, waiting for his chance.
Soon after that, a heavy crash caused a stir: Jonathan Aberdein (RSA, BMW) locked up under braking and hit the rear of Scherer’s Audi. Scherer was unable to avoid a spin and also hit Frijns, who was in front of him, as he swerved. For a three drivers involved, the race was over. However, the main victim of the accident is Frijns, who, as a result of the retirement, is now 41 points down on points’ leader Rast (304) and 22 points down on Müller (285) and, with 56 points still at stake in the Hockenheim finale, only has theoretical chances.
Pole sitter Habsburg drops back with tyre problems in the race
Habsburg also defended his lead from Rast after the first safety car intervention while Müller remained third. After another accident, a collision between the two BMW drivers Lucas Auer (AUT) and his compatriot Philipp Eng, the safety car came out once more. At the restart, the order in the top three again remained unchanged. That was to change after the mandatory pit stops: Rast, who had stopped one lap later than Habsburg and Müller, took the lead and gradually extended it until the finish. For Habsburg, however, things went from bad to worse: the Austrian had increasing tyre problems and lost one position after another. Just before the end, the WRT team even opted for a second tyre change, after which Habsburg dropped back to tenth place
