Markus Winklehock's Audi set the fastest lap of the first DTM test of the season at Mugello this week.
The German set his best time on the final afternoon of the three-day test, beating Jamie Green's Mercedes by 0.166 seconds.
Paul Di Resta was third overall for Mercedes, but Audi was the stronger car over the three days, despite Tom Kristensen and Mike Rockenfeller leaving the test on the second morning to head to Sebring to contest the ALMS opener for Audi.
Alexandre Premat and Mattias Ekstrom also topped sessions on each day of the test and Premat is happy with the progress made by the team, and believes Audi will be in a strong position for the first race.
"These were some great days of testing for us," he said. "We were at the front of the field in all conditions and that's a tremendous feeling. It inspires even more enthusiasm in the team for the new season."
In addition to the 18 works drivers at the test, Christijan Albers made his series comeback, testing a 2006-spec Audi for Team Futurecom. The Dutchman previously finished runner-up in the DTM with Mercedes in 2003.
There was a huge difference between the quickest and slowest times across the three days at Mugello, but several drivers didn't complete a lap on the final day when conditions were much faster than earlier in the week.
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