Warm-up: Alesi heads the way

The French duo had dinner together last night, so going quickly in the warm-up was obviously on the menu. Alesi pipped his good friend by 0.124s, but it is Aiello who will start from pole position today and just needs to outscore title rival Bernd Schneider by two points to add the DTM crown to his list of German Super Touring, British and French titles.

Nurburgring race winner Uwe Alzen was third fastest in his AMG Mercedes, just ahead of Schneider. Bernd lost a race against his wife around the circuit last night - although he was driving a Merc estate road car and Mrs Schneider was in his DTM car. Earlier, Frau Schneider was receiving in-car tuition from her husband, and still managed to spin off into a gravel trap!

Joachim Winkelhock was in inspired mood, making up for a disappointing qualifying session yesterday. He was fifth quickest in his Opel Astra, just ahead of the second fastest Audi of Mattias Ekstrom. Opels filled the next four places with Timo Scheider, Michael Bartels, Manuel Reuter and Alain Menu.

Menu was one of many to suffer an off-course excursion. Peter Dumbreck flew off into the gravel at Rindt Kurve and he ended the session 15th fastest. Alzen had a big spin at the final corner, while Christian Abt outbraked himself and his Audi TT at the Remus Kurve.

DTM returnee JJ Lehto was 18th fastest in the warm-up, having totally changed his set-up for today's races after qualifying last.