In Qualifying at the Circuit de Catalunya, both Oliver and team-mate Alex Prémat proved they were the fastest of the year old Audi DTM cars with Alex starting 8^th on the grid and Oliver in 9^th place. 

“We were missing a bit of racing luck otherwise we’d have made it into the third qualifying segment,” said Oliver after the Qualifying session.  Alex was running fantastically, while I had to fight a little in sector three.”

Meanwhile, Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix) said of the Qualifying, “I think our team performance was right with both being the best in year-old cars.  With our weight rating, we really couldn’t have done much better so I’m pleased with both drivers.”

As 30,500 spectators gathered over the weekend, there was more DTM excitement to thrill the crowds on race day.   

“My start was great but in the first turn it would have been better for me to have driven on the inside as I lost two places,” said Oliver.  “The first pit-stop was really good but then I was stuck behind a Kolles car.  We decided to make an early second pit stop and I have to say, the car was feeling fantastic.  Alex (Prémat) got out on track in front of me so, unable to pass, I had to follow him in the final phase of the race.”

After the race, Ernst Moser said: “As in Qualifying, we were again quickest in the year-old cars.  We fought with the new Mercedes cars for a while but weren’t able to keep them at bay.  Our pace was very good.  Olly was a little faster at the end but wasn’t able to pass any more.  Much more than we achieved wasn’t really possible for us today so I think it was a good weekend for Audi and Phoenix racing.”