Gary Paffett on Row One, Bruno Spengler on Row Two
Four Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars in the first seven positions
Gary Paffett (Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class) and Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz Bank
AMG C-Class) will start Sunday`s fourth round of the 2009 DTM in Zandvoort from second
and third place on the grid respectively. In the single-lap qualifying, Paffett set a time of
1m32.548 whilst Spengler was on a 1m32.715. Pole position went to Oliver Jarvis (Audi)
with a 1m31.966.
In Q3, Paul Di Resta (AMG Mercedes C-Class) qualified fifth on the grid with a 1m31.751.
Norisring winner Jamie Green (Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes C-Class) will start from seventh
place immediately behind the Scotsman, he set a time of 1m31.836.
Qualifying, part 1: With rain beginning to fall, all drivers went out early in the session. Only
short before the end of the 12min session the drizzle stopped allowing better lap times.
Paffett was the fastest C-Class driver with a 1m31.583 in third place. Maro Engel (GQ AMG
Mercedes C-Class) ended up 15th on a 1m32.928 and missed the next round by 11
thousandths of a second; Mathias Lauda (stern AMG Mercedes C-Class) came home 18th
with a 1m33.453 ahead of Ralf Schumacher (Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class) with a
1m34.087.
Qualifying, part 2: Spengler was second fastest with a 1m31.368; Susie Stoddart (TV
Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class) qualified 13th with a 1m32.189 and therefore missed Q3.
Gary Paffett (2009 Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class), second (1:32.548): "In today's
changeable conditions it was difficult to judge how fast I could go and then I made a small
mistake in the single-lap qualifying, otherwise a better time would have been possible. I am
happy with second place on the grid. Of course, I would prefer to be on pole but on this
twisty track it is important to start from the front row. Tomorrow everything is possible."
Bruno Spengler (2009 Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class), third (1:32.715): "I am
quite satisfied with third place and the second row on the grid. A better time was possible;
however, at the penultimate corner of the single-lap qualifying I hit a dirty spot, my wheels
locked and I slid off the racing line for a moment. It will be a tough and long race tomorrow;
everything can happen."
Paul Di Resta (2009 AMG Mercedes C-Class), fifth (1:31.751): "I missed the single-lap
qualifying by only 44 thousandths of a second what makes me a bit angry. We had a good
speed and I am not aware of any mistake and have to analyse the data to see what
happened. Tomorrow I will give it my all to end up on the podium."
Jamie Green (2008 Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes C-Class), seventh (1:31.836):
"Seventh place is not a bad basis for tomorrow's race; at the Norisring I have won from this
grid position. In this morning's free practice I had some problems with the set-up and ended
up 15th, therefore I had not expected to make it to Q3. Therefore the seventh place is still
OK."
Susie Stoddart (2008 TV-Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class), 13th (1:32.189): "My
fastest lap in the second part of qualifying went very well and therefore I am quite satisfied
with my 13th grid position."
Maro Engel (2008 GQ AMG Mercedes C-Class), 15th (1:32.928): "With my first set of
tyres I was seventh and we thought that would be enough to move up. When the lap times
improved towards the end of Q1 I stayed in the pits a mistake. We beat ourselves by
making the wrong decision."
Mathias Lauda (2008 stern AMG Mercedes C-Class), 18th (1:33.453): "When I left the
pits for my final run I rejoined immediately behind Ralf Schumacher. On this twisty track it
took me some time to overtake him and so I was not able to improve further."
Ralf Schumacher (2009 Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class), 19th (1:34.087): "Due to the
changeable weather, the closing stages of the first qualifying were quite hectic and I
resumed 10 seconds too late. Therefore I missed a better time and did not move up to Q2.
It's a shame; however, in these weather conditions everything is possible even from the
back of the grid."
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: "After the great race at
the Norisring, this was a top class qualifying, best promotion for the excitement in the
DTM and a great result for us despite a weight handicap. Four Mercedes-Benz C-Class
cars will start from the first seven positions with our strongest title rivals behind us. A
good basis but the race will take place tomorrow, and then points, podium and win
will be assigned. Congratulations to Oliver Jarvis on his first pole and this in a last
year's car well done."
-credit: mercedes benz
