For the time since he started racing in the DTM series, Canadian Bruno Spengler leads the standings after having finished second twice in the opening two races of the year held at Hockenheim and Valencia.
Spengler was usually unlucky early in the previous seasons, suffering from mechanical failures or on-track incidents. Yet, he captured second place in the final standings twice in his career. With only 10 races in the season, scoring points at every event is a major advantage in his quest for the championship.
His teammate Gary Paffett -- also the reserve driver at team McLaren in Formula 1 -- won the first race of the season while Audi got their revenge last weekend in Valencia with Mattias Ekstrom claiming victory.
In Spain, Spengler finished the race in third place but second-place finisher, Audi driver Martin Tomczyk was disqualified for using a tire that was not part of his race allocation.
While Tomczyk's team nominated a set in accordance with the regulations, one tire from this set was put on his car by mistake during the race.
Reigning DTM champion Timo Scheider from Audi lies 5th in the standings, having a disappointing start to the season. Ekstrom, second in the standings, could now be Audi’s No 1 driver.
At Mercedes, Spengler is the best-placed driver while Paffett is third on the points’ table.
The two other drivers of the works HWA-Mercedes team, Paul Di Resta and Ralf Schumacher are facing some difficulties. Di Resta, who is also Force India reserve driver in F1, is 4th in the standings, having finished 4th and 5th in the first two races of the year.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher is experiencing another tough year in the DTM. Ralf finished 9th in Hockenheim and then retired from the race in Valencia. Nothing exceptional.
Spengler was usually unlucky early in the previous seasons, suffering from mechanical failures or on-track incidents. Yet, he captured second place in the final standings twice in his career. With only 10 races in the season, scoring points at every event is a major advantage in his quest for the championship.
 |
| Bruno Spengler Photo: DTM.com |
His teammate Gary Paffett -- also the reserve driver at team McLaren in Formula 1 -- won the first race of the season while Audi got their revenge last weekend in Valencia with Mattias Ekstrom claiming victory.
In Spain, Spengler finished the race in third place but second-place finisher, Audi driver Martin Tomczyk was disqualified for using a tire that was not part of his race allocation.
While Tomczyk's team nominated a set in accordance with the regulations, one tire from this set was put on his car by mistake during the race.
 |
| 2010 DTM drivers. Photo: DTM.com |
Reigning DTM champion Timo Scheider from Audi lies 5th in the standings, having a disappointing start to the season. Ekstrom, second in the standings, could now be Audi’s No 1 driver.
At Mercedes, Spengler is the best-placed driver while Paffett is third on the points’ table.
The two other drivers of the works HWA-Mercedes team, Paul Di Resta and Ralf Schumacher are facing some difficulties. Di Resta, who is also Force India reserve driver in F1, is 4th in the standings, having finished 4th and 5th in the first two races of the year.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher is experiencing another tough year in the DTM. Ralf finished 9th in Hockenheim and then retired from the race in Valencia. Nothing exceptional.