Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Nico Müller finished third in the opening race at Zolder, just behind BMW Team RBM’s Joel Eriksson after the duo were locked in an intense battle in the final laps.
All three of the podium finishers made early pitstops, just before the safety car was brought out for the stranded Aston Martin’s of Daniel Juncadella and Jake Dennis.
“In the position we were in after the first lap we knew we had to try something,” explained Müller, “we knew if we wanted to go for bigger points we had to take a risk.”
The Swiss driver made his mandatory stop on the same lap as eventual race winner BMW Team RMR driver Philipp Eng.
Come the closing laps of the race, Müller was unable to use his marginally fresher rubber to pass Eriksson for second place.
“Around here it is super difficult to overtake and the delta between our stint lengths was not that big.
“He [Eriksson] still had decent pace for most of the stint. In the end I also had quite some tyre wear, following cars in the dirty air puts more stress into those tyres.”
Overall, Müller was pleased with his result as he believes he wasn’t able to put together his best lap in qualifying, as the short-4km lap at Zolder leaves little room for clear running.
“In the end I think we can be pleased with the result of today,” admitted Müller, “after an average qualifying that was hampered by traffic.
“To come back onto the podium with a bit of luck from the safety car, but with good pace, it’s promising for tomorrow.”