Nico Müller executed a flawless drive to take home is second ever DTM win in the second race at Misano, Italy. The Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver effectively managed his tyres in the second half of the race, and was able to lead by over seven seconds at the line.
The Swiss driver, who has raced in the DTM since 2014, scored his third podium of the year, and his first win since the 2016 races at the Norisring.
“It’s awesome,” explained Müller, “we have worked very hard for that one and we have waited a very long time as well.
“The boys really deserve this, they have put a lot of passion into it. I think we have been very close a few times, and to finally make it happen here in Misano is awesome.”
After going from eighth on the grid to fifth in race one, Müller felt confident he could replicate his race pace.
“The car felt mega, we knew in qualifying we didn’t really have the bullets to fight for pole but that we would have a strong race car.
“This gave us the hope to be able to fight for the win.”
The 27 year old made a great start, and had two wheels on the grass as he attempted to pass Audi Sport Team Rosberg’s René Rast and teammate Robin Frijns into the first turn. However, Müller explained that getting off the line is still somewhat of a lottery for the drivers.
“The start this year is a very exciting moment, I think we are all not 100% confident and consistent.
“Today I got a good one, I was actually trying to go for the gap on the inside of Robin, and even try to take the lead.
“I was on the grass and didn’t want to risk it all.”
In the latter half of the race Müller was the class of the field, able to effectively manage his tyres, the result, he says, of a long game mentality.
“In the first stint René was super strong, we didn’t lose time fighting there.
“We tried to do our race, our pace, and in the second stint on my fresh tyres the car felt awesome and I could take car of the tyres and still do very good lap times and extend the lead.”
After taking the victory Müller has jumped to third in the points standings, but the Audi driver remains detached from title talk as the series heads to the Norisring for round four.
“We try to do our best weekend-by-weekend, it can go very quickly.
“So I just think we need to maximise everyday out there and I am really looking forward to going to the Norisring, a place I love.
“I don’t think we will change our approach for that race at all, and try to go for the win again.”