Boosted by his first win on the season on the day before, Mattias Ekström posted the fastest time in third free practice at Spielberg on Sunday.

In total, all six Audi drivers were classified within the top nine. The DTM points’ leader secured first place at the Red Bull Ring with a lap time of 1m22.059s. Next up were his fellow Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller (1m22.101s) and Jamie Green (1m22.284s), the latter having been fastest in the first two free practice sessions.

“This was as good as I could do. The car was good. It was very crisp this morning, the cars had a lot of grip, but temperatures will be higher in qualifying. Let’s see if I can end up in front then as well,” Ekström said.

Gary Paffett was the best-placed Mercedes-AMG driver in fourth with a time of 1m22.287s. Local hero Lucas Auer was sixth (1m22.374s). “As usual, free practice is irrelevant and doesn’t say a lot. My goal in qualifying has to be a top ten position,” the Austrian said.

Once again, the BMWs were well down the order. Marco Wittmann was the best of them in eleventh place with a time of 1m22.923s. Edoardo Mortara ended up last. Due to a fuel pressure problem, the Mercedes-AMG driver could only complete five laps.

The starting grid positions will be determined in qualifying from 12.00 hrs onwards.