Nico Müller completed a double-podium score after following DTM championship rival Audi Sport Team Rosberg’s René Rast over the line to finish second in race two at Brands Hatch.
In a race that saw the podium separated by half a second, the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver believed driving a clean race aided his chances.
“We had a strong race today,” explained the two-time race winner, “I had a good start again and I took one or two positions there.
“It doesn’t make sense to defend and put stress on your tyres.”
The Swiss driver looked in contention for the race win early on, but an issue with the left-rear tyre change during his mandatory stop left him nearly six seconds adrift of Rast, and all but sealed his race result.
“We had a mishap at the pitstop, which was our one and only chance to put René under more pressure,” explained the 27 year old.
“That’s where we had our pace advantage, right after the pitstop, but I had to use that advantage to close the gap which was five or six seconds.”
Müller looked in a position to challenge for the victory after decimating a five second deficit to the race leader with only three laps to go. However, after pushing hard to close the gap in the ten laps after the pitstop, Müller had limited performance left in his tyres to make a move.
“I had shot my powder,” reported the Swiss driver, “Running close behind him I was afraid to lose my tyres.
“When you run in dirty air on such a flowing fast track, it can happen very quickly where your tyres go off.
“I was trying to be sensible and not over do it and maybe wait for him [René] to kill his tyres and attack at the end.
“But overall we have to be pleased after a very average qualifying.”