DTM Hockenheim: Auer takes pole as Paffett closes on di Resta

Di Resta started the weekend with a four-point advantage over Paffett, but the latter scored two points by taking second in qualifying.

Paffett set the first representative lap, leading with a 1m33.118s but BMW duo Timo Glock and Joel Eriksson managed to move ahead of him before the mid-session lull, former Formula 1 driver Glock the only one with a sub-1m33s time.

But Paffett was again early as the second runs began and lowered his benchmark to retake first with a 1m32.737s.

Audi drivers Nico Muller and Rene Rast could not beat Paffett's time, but Auer eventually went 0.102s faster during the final minute of the session, the Austrian taking his third pole position of the season.

Glock had to settle for third, but this will become eighth on the starting grid as the German was given a five-place penalty for picking up his third warning last time out in Austria.

This promoted Rast, who still has an outside shot of the title, to third place.

He will be followed by fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus and Muller.

Di Resta was only 0.290s off the pace but was eighth fastest, however Glock's penalty, and a similar one for Philipp Eng, mean he will start sixth.

The rest of the top 10 of the grid will be completed by Robin Frijns, Glock, Edoardo Mortara and Eriksson.

Marco Wittmann crashed in the morning practice and his car couldn't be repaired in time for qualifying.

Qualifying result