Joel Eriksson took only his third ever DTM podium in race one at the Norisring after the BMW Team RBM driver executed one of his best drives in his 27 races in the series.
The 21 year old admitted to having a lonely race after the lap ten restart, finding himself with plenty of clear track.
“I was more or less doing my own race,” explained the Swede, “After the pitstop we were lucky with the safety car, after the restart I got a clean area in front of me and behind me.
“I did the whole race on my own until more or less the last laps.”
The Swede could have been one step higher on the podium, but after a five lap dogfight with Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline’s Nico Müller was forced to settle for third under braking for the final corner of the race.
“I really enjoyed it and it’s always fun racing with Nico.
“I would have to say I am not disappointed, I guess its 1-1 now!
“The move he did in the last corner was really good. I closed the door a bit but not enough and I didn’t expect him to dive in the last moment.”
Eriksson was one of many drivers who pitted in the first three laps, reacting to the Audi Sport Team WRT car of Pietro Fittipaldi who had stopped on the opening lap.
“After the bad start and after turn one we were in a position where we could take the risk to stop early.
“So we took the risk and it paid out this time, but you need to be very lucky to pull that one off.”
Having taken his second podium of the 2019 season, Eriksson is inside the top ten in the championship standings with 43 points, 18 ahead of closest rival and teammate rookie Sheldon van der Linde.