Qualifying: Fassler claims another pole

The DTM's Super Pole rules created another thrilling session, with pole not decided until Albers, the final man to run by virtue of his fastest time in the 25 minute qualifying session, lost time when he scraped the barriers at the final chicane.

"I thought it was a good time but I never expected it to be pole position," said Fassler, who was also on pole for the last DTM race in Adria, Italy. "I like driving the car but today it was more exciting in front of the television watching the others fail to beat my time!"

Audi Junior Team driver Martin Tomczyk put in a strong performance to claim third, ahead of fellow Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom. Alain Menu put his Opel Astra in fifth, although he reckoned that he could have been third but for a mistake at the final corner.

Bernd Schneider was a disappointing sixth, after making several mistakes on his flying lap, ahead of Briton Peter Dumbreck (Opel), Christian Abt (Audi) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (Opel). Tenth, and the last of the Super Pole runners, was Jean Alesi, who lost time when he locked-up his tyres going into the first turn. His efforts to make up time over the remainder of the lap provided for entertainment, although did little to improve his lap-time.

Reigning champion Laurent Aiello was a notable omission from the Super Pole runners for the second race in succession. The Frenchman was narrowly beaten for the final top ten position by Bleekemolen, leaving the Abt Audi pit wall looking far from happy.

"The qualifying format makes it more exciting and Laurent has no problem with that," said Abt Audi team boss Hans-Jurgen Abt. "He's getting used to being outside the top ten."

Marcel Fässler (CH) AMG Mercedes-Bend CLK, 1m24.963s
Christijan Albers (NL) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, 1m24.984s
Martin Tomczyk (D) S line Audi Junior Team, 1m25.205s
Mattias Ekstrom (S) Abt-Audi TT-R, 1m25.205s
Alain Menu (CH) Holzer Opel Astra V8 Coupé, 1m25.308s
Bernd Schneider (D) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, 1m25.323s
Peter Dumbreck (GB) Phoenix Opel Astra V8 Coupé, 1m25.512s
Christian Abt (D) Abt-Audi TT-R, 1m25.568s
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) Euroteam Opel Astra V8 Coupé 1m25.791s
Jean Alesi (F) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, 1m25.828s