Nico Müller: Best weekend without a crowning achievement
TWO DTM PODEST PLACES At the DTM in Spielberg, Nico Müller could have won the second race on Sunday. But as on the previous day, the driver from Berne put himself at the service of Audi colleague René Rast, who can still become 2018 champion after the two wins he was given. Whether in Formula 1, WEC or the DTM: As a factory driver, [...]
Whether in Formula 1, WEC or the DTM: As a works driver, you sometimes have to put your personal interests behind those of your employer. Without being specifically asked to do so, Nico Müller did so last weekend at the penultimate DTM event of 2018 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (A).
Thus, despite two podium positions, the Bernese driver missed the actual crowning achievement - i.e. victory in Sunday's race - on his best weekend so far in five DTM seasons as an Audi factory driver.
Unexpected Audi triple lead
After fluffing qualifying, Müller advanced from twelfth to third place on Saturday thanks to driving skills and a perfect strategy. Mercedes driver Daniel Juncadella from Spain looked like the sure winner, but his misconduct on the restart after a safety car period on the third-last lap earned the Spaniard a pit drive-through penalty.
Because he was unable to retake this, it was subsequently converted into a 30-second penalty, which dropped him back to 14th place. As a result, three Audi cars were de facto in the lead - Mike Rockenfeller ahead of Nico Müller and René Rast.
As defending champion Rast was the only Audi driver back in the title fight after scoring maximum points in the event before, his front runners were in a dilemma.
Nico Müller: "It was a special situation. René is the only one of us who still has a chance of winning the title. That's why we didn't make life difficult for him... To keep the championship open, you need teamwork in such a case."
So "Rocky" and Nico let last year's champion go first and flanked him on the podium afterwards.
Müller leads the race
On Sunday, the 26-year-old from Bern qualified for the front row of the grid with Abt Sportsline's Audi RS5 DTM just 28 thousandths behind pole setter Gary Paffett. Behind him, three other Mercedes drivers were lurking for their chance.
The second-fastest Audi with Rast at the wheel only started from seventh position. While Müller quickly snatched the lead from Paffett, Rast catapulted up to fourth place on the starting lap.
With strong lap times in the middle of the race and an early, faster pit stop, the German managed to overtake his two title rivals Paffett and Di Resta. It was only logical that Müller, the leader, did not put up any more resistance. And so he followed Rast to the finish like a shadow.
Meanwhile, Rast gave Audi the 100th DTM victory in its history. At the same time, he is the first driver in modern times with four consecutive victories, although the two at Spielberg were also achieved with the help of his teammates.
Nico Müller: "It was good to show what's possible once everything fits. All in all, this was certainly my best DTM weekend so far. It just would have been nice to crown it with a win..."
Exciting finale in sight
In the manufacturers' championship, Mercedes-Benz has already secured the title. The drivers' title will be decided between the Brits Di Resta (229 points) and Paffett (225) and Rast (199). There is still a maximum of 56 points up for grabs.
As all Audi drivers will be at the service of team-mate René Rast at the finale at Hockenheim in mid-October as well, Müller's chance of winning is only theoretical.
However, for his future at Audi, which recently confirmed its further commitment to Formula E and the 2019 DTM, the Swiss driver's distinguished restraint in Austria was certainly the best decision.
