Schnieder won out over the changing weather to take the win
Bernd Schneider (Genuine Parts AMG Mercedes C-Class) won the seventh
round of the 2008 DTM at the Nurburgring. After 43 laps in changeable
weather conditions, Schneider -- starting sixth - crossed the finish
line 5.7sec ahead of Paul Di Resta (AMG Mercedes C-Class) who had
qualified 12th. Jamie Green (Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class) in
third and Gary Paffett with last year's stern AMG Mercedes C-Class
completed the quadruple success for the AMG Mercedes C-Class.
After
the opening lap and a tyre change during the formation lap, Mathias
Ekstrom was 4.6sec and Timo Scheider 5.8sec behind Bernd Schneider. At
the chequered flag, Schneider's advantage ahead of Ekstrom was 21sec and
ahead of Scheider 19.5sec. Clearly, Bernd showed the better performance.
One week after his 44th anniversary, Bernd Schneider celebrated his
43th victory in DTM and ITC. After seven out of 11 races of the season,
Mercedes-Benz leads with 4:3 on race wins. Jamie Green is second overall
with 40 points, four points behind leader Timo Scheider (Audi). Paul Di
Resta (AMG Mercedes C-Class) is fourth overall with 37 points, followed
by Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class) who was seventh
today on 28 points.
In the teams' ranking, Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG
(Paul Di Resta/Bruno Spengler) lead with 65 points.
Ralf Schumacher
(Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class) came home eighth and scored his first DTM
point. Mathias Lauda (Pixum AMG Mercedes C-Class) ended up 10th and
Susie Stoddart (TV Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class) finished 12th despite
a spin. Maro Engel (JungeSterne AMG Mercedes C-Class) retired after
being hit by Katherine Legge (Audi).
A total of 85,000 spectators attended the seventh round of the 2008 DTM at the Nurburgring during the weekend.
The race at a glance
The start: The qualifying had been red-flagged in the second part due
to heavy rain and aquaplaning and was not re-started. According to the
stewards' decision, the ranking of part one formed the grid. Therefore,
Gary Paffett started fourth; Bernd Schneider was sixth on the gird
followed by Ralf Schumacher and Maro Engel. After the start, Gary
Paffett overtook Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Tom Kristensen at
the Mercedes-Arena and was first after the opening lap, followd by six
C-Class drivers: Paul Di Resta --started 12th on the grid - , Bernd
Schneider, Ralf Schumacher, Jamie Green, Bruno Spengler --started 16th
-- and Susie Stoddart.
Lap 5: Bruno Spengler overtook Ralf Schumacher at the chicane and
improved to fifth.
Lap 8: Paul Di Resta overtook Gary Paffett for the lead.
Lap 10: Also Bernd Schneider passed Gary Paffett and was now second .
Respective first pit stops of Bruno Spengler and Susie Stoddart .
Lap 11: Bernd Schneider pitted, followed by Gary Paffett and Jamie Green
one lap later.
Lap 13: First pit stop of Ralf Schumacher, followed by Mathias Lauda one
lap later.
Lap 19: Second stop of Bruno Spengler.
Lap 21: Paul Di Resta came in for his first stop and Bernd Schneider
took the lead. Also Maro Engel pitted for the first time; Mathias Lauda
came in for his second stop.
Lap 22: Respective second pit stops of Gary Paffett and Susie Stoddart;
Ralf Schumacher followed one lap later.
Lap 24: Leader Bernd Schneider came in for the second time; Jamie Green
on lap 25.
Lap 26: Maro Engel was hit by Katherine Legge (Audi) before the final
corner, spun into the gravel and retired.
Lap 27: Second pitstop of Paul Di Resta.
Lap 28: After the second round of mandatory pit stops, Bernd Schneider
was in the lead ahead of Paul Di Resta, Jamie Green, Gary Paffett,
Mattias Ekstrom, Timo Scheider, Bruno Spengler and Ralf Schumacher.
Lap 32: Rain began to fall.
Lap 35: Gary Paffett fought against Mattias Ekstrom and Timo Scheider
for fourth place.
Lap 36: Susie Stoddart spun.
Lap 37: Paul Di Resta and Ralf Schumacher pitted for wet tyres.
Lap 38: Bernd Schneider led Jamie Green with almost 10sec; Gary Paffett
was third ahead of Mattias Ekstrom.
Lap 40: Paul Di Resta overtook Mattias Ekstrom and Gary Paffett and
improved to third place. Two laps later, the Scotsman passed Jamie Green
and was second.
Finish (lap 43): Bernd Schneider took the chequered flag for his 43rd
DTM win ahead of Paul Di Resta, Jamie Green and Gary Paffett. Bruno
Spengler came home seventh ahead of Ralf Schumacher who scored his first
DTM point.
Quotes
Bernd Schneider (2008 Genuine Parts AMG Mercedes C-Class), winner: "I
am really happy. One week after my anniversary this is my best birthday
present. I thank my team for their great efforts and for the right tyre
choice. This was the key to success. I had a perfect car and a perfect
team throughout the weekend -- and the driver wasn't bad, too."
Paul Di Resta (2008 AMG Mercedes C-Class), second: "We made the right
tyre choice in difficult conditions and I improved from 12th on the
grid to second place on the opening lap. It was tricky to keep the
car on the track in the rain and in the end we decided to change to
wet tyres because we didn't want to take chances with respect to the
championship. Second place and eight points are a very good result after
yesterday's qualifying."
Jamie Green (2008 Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class), third: "It rained
almost throughout the entire race and it was tricky to push the car to
the limit. In the end it was difficult not to go off and I am happy
that I didn't make a mistake."
Gary Paffett (2007 stern AMG Mercedes C-Class), fourth: "A tough race
in very difficult conditions. It is really great that I finished fourth
under these circumstances. In the beginning I was able to lead, but the
2008 C-Class cars were faster and I wasn't able to go their speed. The
fight with Ekstrom and Scheider was fun, and I am glad that I could stay
in front of them."
Bruno Spengler (2008 Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class), seventh: "Maybe
it would have been better to change to wet tyres towards the end of the
race; however, it was a difficult decision, and I don't complain. To
improve from 16th on the grid to seventh is still a good result."
Ralf Schumacher (2007 Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class), eighth: "A great
result. I am really happy that I scored my first DTM point and this in
such difficult conditions. It was an exciting race and everything was
possible today. I thank my team -- everybody did a great job."
Mathias Lauda (2007 Pixum AMG Mercedes C-Class), 10th: "I started well;
however, at the first corner I was hit from behind and lost a couple of
places. The car was great and with less rain in the end points would
have been possible even with slick tyres."
Susie Stoddart (2007 TV-Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class), 12th: "I made
a good start, however we opted for a wet set-up so when the track was
completely dry we struggled. Overall I'm happy and I thank my team for a
great job under difficult circumstances."
Maro Engel (2007 JungeSterne AMG Mercedes C-Class), retired: "I got
stuck behind Katherine Legge for awhile and when I wanted to pass
her, she pulled over to the right and pushed me towards the pit lane
entry. Our cars touched, I spun and got stuck in the gravel."
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: "A great race
-- good for the sport and the DTM. Thanks to the teams HWA, Mucke
and Persson for the right tyre choice, a great strategy and good pit
stops. Today we ended up in the points with six C-Class cars. Bernd
was perfect, one week after his 44th anniversary and after 43 laps he
achieved his 43rd DTM victory. Gary posted outstanding lap times with
the 2007 C-Class, and also our "DTM apprentice" Ralf showed an awesome
race, which was rewarded with his first DTM point. Today, the tyre
choice was certainly key, but in the end the drivers are the ones to
battle it out on the track. We now won four out of seven races and the
championship remains open with four races to go. Prior to the next round
in Brands Hatch on 31st August, we want to and have to further improve
-- however, tonight we will celebrate this special quadruple win."