Gary Paffett wins opening race of the new DTM era
Sensational opening to a new DTM era: the return of the three-way fight between the three premium manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which all rely on the clutch high-tech of ZF Friedrichshafen AG in the DTM, attracted 142,000 spectators over the course of three sunny spring days to the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. Beaming winner after 40 laps was Gary Paffett in the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé. The Briton won by a margin of 4.709 seconds from his team mate and fellow countryman Jamie Green. Third with a deficit of 19.434 seconds was Mattias Ekström in the Audi A5 DTM. The Swede and two-time Champions had taken pole position the day before
Andy Priaulx was best driver for DTM returnee BMW behind Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz). His team mates Bruno Spengler and defending Champion Martin Tomczyk were the innocent victims in collisions and retired as a result. Dirk Werner – third in qualifying and best BMW driver – was 17th and last after several accidents. It is already clear after one race that BMW is capable of keeping pace with the two established DTM giants.
Result Hockenheim (D), DTM race 1, 27.04-29.04.2012:
1. Gary Paffett, Mercedes-Benz, 1h 04m 37.615s, ZF
2. Jamie Green, Mercedes-Benz, + 4.709s, ZF
3. Mattias Ekström, Audi, + 19.434s, ZF
4. Christian Vietoris, Mercedes-Benz, + 25.774s, ZF
5. Mike Rockenfeller, Audi, + 27.834s, ZF
6. Andy Priaulx, BMW, + 28.435s, ZF
7. Ralf Schumacher, Mercedes-Benz, + 39.948s, ZF
8. David Coulthard, Mercedes-Benz, + 43.306s, ZF
9. Miguel Molina, Audi, + 46.079s, ZF
10. Filipe Albuquerque, Audi, + 46.614s, ZF
Drivers’ Championship standings:
1. G. Paffett, 25 points; 2. J. Green, 18; 3. M. Ekström, 15; 4. C. Vietoris, 12; 5. M. Rockenfeller, 10; 6. A. Priaulx, 8; 7. R. Schumacher, 6; 8. D. Coulthard, 4; 9. M. Molina, 2; 10. F. Albuquerque, 1.
Other results:
Results Hockenheim (D), Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup race 1, 27.04-28.04.2012:
1. Ola Nilsson, Volkswagen, 21m 58.510s, ZF
2. Mika Salo, Volkswagen, + 0.553s, ZF
3. Jann-Hendrik Ubben, Volkswagen, + 4.015s, ZF
4. Dennis Trebing, Volkswagen, + 4.986s, ZF
5. Moritz Oestreich, Volkswagen, + 7.920s, ZF
6. Adam Gładysz, Volkswagen, + 8.752, ZF
7. Jakub Litwin, Volkswagen, + 16.368s, ZF
8. Berke Bayındır, Volkswagen, + 18.591s, ZF
9. Fabian Danz, Volkswagen, + 19.207s, ZF
10. Rasmus Mårthen, Volkswagen, + 26.945s, ZF
Drivers’ Championship standings:
1. O. Nilsson, 30 points; 2. J. Ubben, 24; 3. D. Trebing, 20; 4. M. Oestreich, 17; 5. A. Gładysz, 16; 6. J. Litwin, 15; 7. B. Bayındır, 14; 8. F. Danz, 13; 9. R. Mårthen, 12; 10. K. Jensen, 11.
For the 2012 season ZF Friedrichshafen AG informs the public through a new, comprehensive and clearly structured motorsport website on the internet at zf.com/motorsport. ZF exclusively supplies all three automobile manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz with clutches of the SACHS brand in time for the start of the new DTM and will attend the events in Germany with a dedicated video team. A professional reporter, the ZF race reporter, reports alongside a fan reporter directly from Hockenheim, the Lausitzring, from the Norisring, Nürburgring and from Oschersleben. Additionally, the reporters also cover the Nürburgring 24 Hour race as well as the Truck Grand Prix. The ZF race reporters prepare interesting background topics all about the DTM and the support races exclusively for users of zf.com/motorsport. Users can also register as fan reporter for one of the races at this internet address.