Red Bull Audi drivers Martin Tomczyk and Mattias Ekström qualified in fourth and fifth positions respectively for Sunday's DTM Norisring in Nuremberg, Germany.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher grabbed a shock pole position – his first in DTM – while the championship leader Bruno Spengler qualified in second, with Britain's Jamie Green in third.
And Schumacher, who so far this season has failed to score a point in the opening four races of the season was bemused by the success.
“To be honest, I am surprised myself by what has happened here," the 35-year-old said. "The Norisring suits me. Of course, pole position is great, although I already expected Bruno to beat my time. First of all, I will enjoy the present day now. Of course, victory on Sunday would be the icing on the cake”.
Meanwhile, Tomczyk was not quite so surprised with his fourth position on one his least favourite tracks.
"At the Norisring, I am always having trouble," he said. "But so far, the entire weekend has been great. Unfortunately, my rear tyres had no grip whatsoever. When I turned into the Schöller-S, the rear of the car slid out. Therefore, I couldn’t do any better. But it is as it is”.
David Coulthard endured another fruitless qualifying session and will start from 13th on the grid in tomorrow's race – something the Scot found tough to take.
"This was very close today," Coulthard said. "Unfortunately, I struggled with the balance and was not able to post a clean lap. I am not satisfied with 13th place."
DTM Norisring – qualifying results
1) Ralf Schumacher (GER) Laureus AMG Mercedes – 48.721sec
2) Bruno Spengler (CAN) Mercedes Benz Bank AMG +0.069s
3) Jamie Green (GBR) Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes + 0.229
4) Martin Tomczyk (GER) Red Bull Cola Audi + 0.249
5) Mattias Ekström (SWE) Red Bull Audi + 0.169 (4 laps)
Read our event guide to the Norisring here
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