DTM: Gary Paffett triumphs at the Lausitzring
Mercedes-Benz achieved a coup at the fourth round of the season at the Lausitzring: Gary Paffett has led the Stuttgart-based brand back to victory lane by clinching its first win since the race at the Norisring in 2012. On finishing, Paffett had an advantage of 6.8 seconds ahead of Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) and Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz), who started from the pole position.
The newly introduced option tires spiced up the race yet again. Handling these particularly soft tires proved to be a crucial factor for the drivers in achieving a good end result. Paffett was only briefly under pressure by Mike Rockenfeller in the course of the 52 laps, having passed his brand colleague Vietoris right at the start.
Ranking with an equal points score at the top of the DTM standing now are Mike Rockenfeller and the reigning Champion Bruno Spengler (BMW), who finished in seventh place at Lausitz. On scoring his first victory since the race at Brands Hatch in 2012, Paffett advanced to third place in the drivers’ standings.
All of the three premium manufacturers involved in the DTM, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, rely on clutch high-tech from ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
Results, Lausitzring (D), round 4, DTM, Jun 14–Jun 16, 2013:
1. Gary Paffett, Mercedes-Benz, 1h 09m 58.562s, ZF
2. Mike Rockenfeller, Audi, + 6.800s, ZF
3. Christian Vietoris, Mercedes-Benz, + 11.510s, ZF
4. Robert Wickens, Mercedes-Benz, + 12.790s, ZF
5. Jamie Green, Audi, + 14.138s, ZF
6. Daniel Juncadella, Mercedes-Benz, + 19.462s, ZF
7. Bruno Spengler, BMW, + 21.592s, ZF
8. Mattias Ekström, Audi, + 21.621s, ZF
9. Edoardo Mortara, Audi, + 24.715s, ZF
10. Roberto Merhi, Mercedes-Benz, + 25.643s, ZF
Drivers’ standings:
1. B. Spengler and M. Rockenfeller, 59 each; 3. G. Paffett, 47; 4. C. Vietoris, 40; 5. A. Farfus, 33; 6. M. Wittmann, 32; 7. R. Wickens, 27; 8. D. Werner, 22; 9. M. Ekström, 20; 10. J. Hand, 16.
Manufacturers’ standings:
1. BMW, 177 points; 2. Mercedes-Benz, 126; 3. Audi, 101.
Other results:
Results, Lausitzring (D), round 4, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, Jun 14–Jun 16,2013:
Race 1
1. Nicki Thiim, Porsche, 26m 08.707s, ZF
2. Kévin Estre, Porsche, + 0.893s, ZF
3. Christian Engelhart, Porsche, + 10.801s, ZF
4. Robert Lukas, Porsche, + 15,916s, ZF
5. Sean Edwards, Porsche, + 16.315s, ZF
6. Alex Riberas, Porsche, + 16.600s, ZF
7. Felipe Fernández Laser, Porsche, + 18.696s, ZF
8. Connor de Phillippi, Porsche, + 24.990s, ZF
9. Philipp Eng, Porsche, +25.574s, ZF
10. Fabien Thuner, Porsche, + 26.278s, ZF
Race 2
1. Nicki Thiim, Porsche, 36m 06.773s, ZF
2. Sean Edwards, Porsche, + 1.911s, ZF
3. Jeffrey Schmidt, Porsche, + 13.744s, ZF
4. Norbert Siedler, Porsche, + 14.173s, ZF
5. Alex Riberas, Porsche, + 19.089s, ZF
6. Robert Lukas, Porsche, + 20.009s, ZF
7. Bas Shothorst, Porsche, + 26.689s, ZF
8. Connor de Phillippi, Porsche, + 27.949s, ZF
9. Kyle Marcelli, Porsche, + 32.295s, ZF
10. Christian Engelhart, Porsche, + 38.251s, ZF
Drivers’ standings:
1. K. Estre, 112 points; 2. S. Edwards, 95; 3. C. Engelhart, 93; 4. N. Thiim, 84; 5. N. Siedler, 82; 6. J. van Lagen, 70; 7. P. Eng, 55; 8. F. Fernandez Laser and C. de Phillippi, 46 each; 10. A. Riberas, 43.