DTM: Timo Scheider clinches a second championship

From the DTM Championship

Briton Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) has won the tenth DTM season round at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. Timo Scheider (Audi) finished second, and clinched championship title.

After 39 laps at the 4.574 kilometres long circuit, Paffett crossed the finish line in first place with his AMG Mercedes C-Class. For Paffett, it was the 14th DTM race win of his career and the fourth victory of the season.

Timo Scheider (Audi) has successfully defended his DTM title: finishing second in the season finale at Hockenheim was enough for the German to win the drivers’ title again.

Third place in the final round of the season at Hockenheim went to Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz), Alexandre Prémat (Audi) finished fourth. The Frenchman was the best-placed driver with a year-old car.

The final point-scoring positions were taken by Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz), Oliver Jarvis (Audi), Canadian driver Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz) and Markus Winkelhock (Audi).

"Starting 15th, the most important was to avoid contact in the first lap, which I fortunately managed to do," said Spengler to auto123.com.

"I then experienced a good beat, but Alexandre Prémat hold me behind on purpose, preventing me to join the front of the pack. We therefore chose to change my strategy meaning I did a second smaller outing and a very long third outing.

"The 22 laps at the end were hard on my tyres and I lost two positions in the last laps. Still, a 7th place from 15th is not that bad."

Race classification:

1. Gary Paffett (Mercedes Classe C) in 1:06:01.702
2. Timo Scheider (Audi A4) + 1’’043
3. Paul Di Resta (Mercedes Classe C) + 1’’792
4. Alexandre Prémat (Audi A4) + 5’’234
5. Jamie Green (Mercedes Classe C) + 5’’994
6. Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4) + 7’’737
7. Bruno Spengler (Mercedes Classe C) + 8’’664
8. Markus Winkelhock (Audi A4) + 9’’847
etc.

Championship Standing:

1. Scheider 64 pts, 2. Paffett 59, 3. Di Resta 45, 4. Bruno Spengler and Mathias Ekström 41, 6. Martin Tomczyck 35, etc.