Mike Rockenfeller scored a third place finish at the Lausitzring to give the Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver his second-ever double-podium race weekend in his DTM career.
The 2013 champion looked once again to be one of the fastest Audi cars on track, and utilised an early stop like Team Abt Sportsline’s Nico Müller, to climb positions.
Rockenfeller was past by Müller after the stops, and revealed he was able to maintain good pace by using DRS.
However, after making an early stop Rockenfeller struggled with tyre wear in the closing stages, and was at risk of losing his third place to the Audi Sport Team Rosberg driver Jamie Green, who had pitted nearly ten laps than his Audi brandmate.
“I was not sure if I could hold the position,” admitted Rockenfeller, “I thought after the pitstop I could maintain the gap to Nico, but he closed so quick.
“So I decided not to kill my tyres completely and let him go, and try to follow with DRS, and try to use his pace to my advantage.
“At the end I was not believing I can stay third, I thought Robin [Frijns] who could pass me and then also Jamie [Green].
But I could manage with DRS to just stay in front of them.”
The 35-year-old was only able to qualify in tenth for the Sunday race, and believes he was not getting the best from his Audi RS5.
“I think we had not the pace in my car,” suggested the six-time DTM race winner, “For me I didn’t get the best out of the package.
I think it started in qualifying, being P10 was not helping.”
After scoring his seventh consecutive points finish, Rockenfeller has closed the gap to the BMW Team RMR driver Philipp Eng who sits fourth in the championship, only 16 points ahead of the Audi driver.