Audi clinches DTM drivers' title early

The championship triple is sealed - with a one-two-three success at Zolder, Belgium, Audi has also prematurely secured the drivers' title in the DTM following the Manufacturers' and Teams' Championships. On Saturday, the podium was occupied by the three drivers who will decide the title among themselves in the remaining five races - Rene Rast, Robin Frijns and Nico Muller.

For Audi, this is the twelfth driver's title in the DTM and the fourth championship triple after 2004, 2017 and 2019. "Having all three championship titles in your pocket so early in the season is extraordinary," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass.

"I don't believe that this has ever happened before in the DTM. It shows how unbelievable the 2020 season is for Audi. Today was another fantastic day for the Four Rings: We had all three title contenders on the podium and also secured the third title," he added. 

The man of the day was Rene Rast from Audi Sport Team Rosberg. In qualifying, the two-time DTM Champion grabbed first place on the grid in the very last moment from BMW driver Timo Glock. Rast thus prevented Audi's series of pole positions in the DTM from being interrupted. 

Although he had to start the race on the still wet side of the track, Rast immediately took the lead securing a commanding lights-to-flag victory, which he also crowned with the fastest lap. With his 17^th pole position and 20^th victory in the DTM, Rast reduced the gap on championship leader Nico Muller to 34 points. 

Muller's teammate Robin Frijns, in second place, also managed to reduce the gap in the overall standings. The Dutchman had set the fastest time in both free practice sessions on Friday. From third place on the grid, Frijns immediately moved up to second place behind Rene Rast, but was unable to keep up with the pace of the leader.

"Unfortunately, I lost a position to Timo Glock after my pit stop, which cost me quite a bit of time," said Frijns. "I had to push my tires very hard for a few laps to get back second place. After that, I just concentrated on securing second and took it easy on my tires. The result is good, but tomorrow we have to be faster."