Robin Frijns was delighted to score his first-ever victory in the DTM at his home circuit of Assen in The Netherlands, after the Audi driver spent three years trying to get on the top step of the podium.
Frijns defeated fellow Audi racer Loïc Duval in Saturday’s race at Assen, passing the Frenchman on lap 30 when he used DRS to his advantage on the exit of Turn 5.
Duval had earlier controlled the first part of the race from pole position, but Frijns had pitted two laps later than his rival and had fresher rubber to drive more aggressively in the second phase of the race.
The 29-year-old joined the DTM at the start of the 2018 season, and has scored 11 podium finishes prior to this weekend, making his eventual ascendancy to the top step much awaited.
“I had to wait almost three years for this moment,” said Frijns. “I came close very often, but something always happened.
“I’ve been on the podium in the DTM a couple of times, but never at the top. It’s fantastic that it happened here at Assen where fans were allowed back in for the first time.
“There really couldn’t have been a better place for my first DTM victory.”
Victory for Frijns has also moved him up to second overall in the drivers’ championship, 30 points behind leader Nico Müller.