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Perera Storms to First DTM Pole at Oschersleben

Lamborghini factory driver secures first-ever DTM pole for Saturday race at Oschersleben…

Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Franck Perera secured his first pole position in DTM by setting the fastest time in Saturday qualifying at Oschersleben.

The Frenchman steered the No. 94 SSR Performance Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo to a best lap of 1:21.370.

It is the first pole position for the Lamborghini factory driver in his first full season of DTM.

He previously qualified fourth during a one-off outing at the Norisring last year when he stood in for Rolf Ineichen.

Jack Aitken took second aboard the No. 14 Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, losing out by 0.018 seconds.

Mirko Bortolotti put the No. 92 SSR Performance Lamborghini third, joined on the second row by GRT Grasser Racing Team driver Mick Wishofer.

Ricardo Feller completed the top five aboard the No. 7 ABT Sportsline Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, ahead of Thomas Preining and Tim Heinemann.

Rene Rast was the quickest BMW driver in his first qualifying outing for the Munich brand, setting a best lap of 1:21.577 to go eighth.

Laurin Heinrich was ninth, with the top ten rounded out by the No. 3 Audi piloted by Kelvin van der Linde.

The vast majority of drivers waited until late in the session to begin their qualifying runs, which resulted in a number of high-profile drivers missing out on a spot in the top ten.

Reigning champion Sheldon van der Linde’s fastest time was only good for 19th place, one spot behind Lucas Auer but just ahead of both Maro Engel and Marco Wittmann.

None of the Mercedes-AMG entries broke into the top ten, with David Schumacher the highest-placed driver for the brand in 16th position.

The opening race of the 2023 DTM season kicks off at 1:30 p.m. CEST (7:30 a.m. ET)

RESULTS: Qualifying 1

Davey Euwema is Sportscar365's European Editor. Based in The Netherlands, Euwema covers the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, among other series.

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