Bruno Spengler believes that fifth place was the best he could achieve as the BMW Team RMG driver was unable to match the pace of opposition in the latter stages of todays second race at Hockenheim.

Having struggled in the wet qualifying and race on Saturday, taking an eighth place finish from 14th on the grid, Spengler was hoping for better performance in the dry.

Starting the race in fifth, the Canadian looked set to challenge for a podium, but a poor start and contact with the BMW’s of Timo Glock and Marco Wittmann, left him having to battle to stay in the top five.

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“In general, that was a good race. Unfortunately, I suffered some wheelspin, which meant I got off to a bad start, but I was able to recover.”

Spengler displayed competitive pace on fresh tyres, allowing him to battle with eventual podium finisher Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Robin Frijns.

“I then had good pace in the first stint,” described Spengler, “as I did at the start of the second stint.”

Race two was the first time the DTM grid experienced the new Class One cars in race trim and tyre degradation became decisive throughout the race.

Despite his BMW Team RMG mechanics executing a quick stop, Spengler was forced to manage his Hankook tyres in the latter stages of the race, leaving him unable to battle for position in the final laps.

“Our pit stop strategy was spot on,” explained the 2012 DTM champion.

“Ultimately, the opposition was simply stronger late on in the race, and I was unable to keep them behind me. Fifth place is good. We scored valuable points for BMW yesterday and today.”

With 16 points Spengler sits seventh in the standings, less than half the tally of teammate and championship leader Marco Wittmann.