"Third place in qualifying is a good result and with two Audis on the second row, we have a good basis," said Timo. "Now, our entire focus is on Sunday and then, we will see what can be achieved."
"Even though I didn't make it all the way to the front, I'm happy," added Ekstrom. "The car's never been better this year and I'm looking forward to the race now."
Britain's Jamie Green, who won last time out at Mugello, secured fifth, while Martin Tomczyk and Tom Kristensen came in sixth and seventh.
"I had hoped for a better grid position than fifth," reflected Green. "I wanted to be closer to the front row with Paul and Bruno. Congratulations to Paul though on his first DTM pole - I have good memories here of my first pole in September 2005."
Further down the order Bernd Schneider was eighth, ensuring all the 2008-spec cars made it into the final qualifying shoot-out for the first time this season. He was however pretty unhappy with Q3.
"The first two parts of qualifying were OK, the car was great and I had a good grip," Schneider said. "Therefore, I am disappointed that I was not able to move up in the third part. Unfortunately, we don't know the reason yet. Together we will analyse the data and see how I can improve tomorrow."
Oliver Jarvis only just failed to make it into the third qualifying heat as the best-placed driver of a year-old car. He will start ninth, with Mike Rockenfeller, Markus Winkelhock and Alexandre Premat in 10th, 11th and 12th respectively.
"Friday and this morning I was still having some problems, so we changed the setup. That paid off and I'm satisfied with the qualifying result," said Jarvis.
Ralf Schumacher confirmed his steadily improving shape and again made it into the second qualifying heat. Like in Mugello he was the best-placed driver with a year-old Mercedes and he will line-up in 13th, ahead of fellow ex-
Formula 1 man Christijan Albers.
"13th on the grid is not too bad, particularly because I have not raced at the Lausitzring before and after three races – or better, two races and three laps - I am still an apprentice in the DTM," said Ralf.
![Paul di Resta - AMG Mercedes C-Klasse [Pic credit: DTM Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/440384.jpg)
