With a time of 1m21.307s, double DTM champion Marco Wittmann charged to pole position for the first of this weekend’s two DTM races at Zolder in Belgium.

It was the German’s 12th career pole, and his second of the season after taking first place for the opening race at Hockenheim earlier this month.

“The guys made a few changes on the car that worked out very well,” Wittmann explained. “It’s particularly important here: overtaking will be difficult, so a good grid position is crucial. I’m very happy to be at the front.”

With Audi driver René Rast occupying second place, both race winners from the Hockenheim season opener line up on the front row for the first of Zolder’s two races. Rast saw the positives of a solid front-row position: “It reminds me of last year’s final race at Hockenheim,” he said, smilingly. “Marco was on pole and I was second on the grid. And I won..”

Rast, however, is the only Audi protégé among a trio of BMW drivers. Bruno Spengler and impressive newcomer Sheldon van der Linde locked out the second grid row for the Munich brand. Van der Linde, driving for the Belgian-based RBM outfit, was the best-placed rookie, underlining the strong pace he showed in the opening round.

With Robin Frijns, Timo Glock, Philipp Eng, Nico Müller, Joel Eriksson and Jamie Green rounding out the top 10 in that order, there will be one Audi driver and one BMW driver each on the third to fifth row.

Representing Belgium’s WRT team, Pietro Fittipaldi and Jonathan Aberdein qualified 11th and 12th respectively. Jake Dennis ended up 13th as the best R-Motorsport Aston Martin driver.