Paul di Resta topped the times in qualifying at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz on Saturday, ahead of the fourth round in the DTM.
The 22-year-old lapped the 3.478 kilometre track in 1 minute 17.628 seconds, three tenths up on his closest challenger. It was his first ever pole in the German tin-top series and the result brings to an end Audi's run of eight poles in succession, stretching back to Mugello last July.
"This is the best car that I have ever driven," said the AMG Mercedes man, who was over half a second faster than last year's fastest qualifying time. "Of course, pole in qualifying doesn't mean victory in the race, but it is a very good position to work from."
Bruno Spengler meanwhile secured second to give Mercedes an extra reason to cheer: "That was a real straightforward qualifying," said the Canadian, who incidentally was the last man to put Mercedes on pole prior to today's session.
"On my final lap, I ran slightly wide in the first corner and I lost two tenths of a second. As a result, I couldn't make it to pole. The track suits us quite well and with a good start on Sunday, anything can happen."
Mercedes-Benz motorsport director Norbert Haug was happy to see his men lock out the front row, although he is aware that tomorrow's result is what will really count.
"Paul di Resta has shown a great performance. First and second place on the grid is more than hat we had hoped for. We are even a little bit ahead of the goals we had set ourselves," he added.
"However, that is no reason to be euphoric. In Mugello already, we were in contention and here we are a little bit more. I hope that we can repeat this qualifying result in the race tomorrow."
Timo Scheider, who currently leads the championship and who has started from pole on the first three events, will line up on the second row in third, just 0.326 seconds off pole and only seven hundredths up on reigning DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom in fourth.
![Paul di Resta - AMG Mercedes C-Klasse [Pic credit: DTM Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/440384.jpg)
