Unexpectedly quick end in Sunday's DTM race in Portimao after difficult start to the season.

Not the best start to the season in the DTM for KÜS Team Bernhard: In Portimao, Portugal, Porsche works driver Thomas Preining (23, Austria) finished 13th on Saturday in the 911 GT3 R with starting number 24 and was therefore out of the points. Sundays race also did not go to plan resulting in a DNF for the team.

It was already clear after the 20-minute and very close qualifying that the team from Landstuhl in the Palatinate would not achieve a top result in Saturday's race: Thomas only finished in the field of 29 cars, in which 25 cars drove within a single second Starting position 20. In the race, which was briefly neutralized by a safety car phase, Thomas was able to make up a total of seven positions, but got stuck in the field after the restart and finally finished 13th.

Thomas Preining : “It was a difficult start to the season. We gave everything, unfortunately it was only enough for P 13 today. Tomorrow is a new day, then we'll try again, hopefully with a better starting position after qualifying, then we should be able to do something."

Team principal Timo Bernhard : “We were able to make up a few positions from P 20 to P 13 in our DTM debut. In principle, our pit stop during the safety car phase was tactically correct, although we didn't gain much from it because we were a bit early in terms of timing. At the restart we initially lost some ground, all in all it was a solid race. We'll attack again tomorrow.”

Sunday's DTM race in Portimao, Portugal, was also a sobering experience for the KÜS Team Bernhard. Porsche works driver Thomas Preining (23, Austria) had to retire in the Landstuhl squad's 911 GT3 R after lap one after being involved in a collision with other vehicles in the first corner.

As on Saturday, the very tight qualifying on Sunday, in which 24 cars were within a second, did not go as desired. Starting from 21st place, Thomas was a long way from scoring points, so damage limitation was the order of the day. But his race was over after only a few meters: In turn one, several racing cars collided. Thomas, who had made a good start, was also hit and was able to pit, but had to retire there.

Thomas Preining : “A disappointing weekend. We would have had very good pace today. I also had a great start, was able to make up a few positions right away, but was then unfortunately cleared on turn one. Now we have to reposition ourselves and come back stronger at the Lausitzring.”
Team Principal Timo Bernhard: “Unfortunately, we didn't quite get it right in today's qualifying. Unfortunately, we were then hit in the first corner of the race and it was over quickly.”