Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class) won the 2010 DTM’s third round at the Lausitzring. After 52 laps (180.856 kms), Paul Di Resta who had started from the 100th DTM pole position of Mercedes-Benz came home second ahead of Jamie Green (Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes C-Class). For the second time after the quadruple win in the season opener at Hockenheim on 25th April, there were again three C-Class drivers on the podium.
After a personal long lean period, Bruno Spengler who has won the last time at the Norisring in 2007, achieved the 70th win for Mercedes-Benz in the new DTM since 2000 and the ninth in the 11th race at the Lausitzring. Mercedes-Benz has now won 154 out of 323 races since the brand had entered the DTM with a factory team in 1988.
Winning his seventh DTM race and achieving his third continuous podium finish, Spengler extended his overall lead to now 26 points. Paul Di Resta is second on 17 points ahead of Gary Paffett (Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class), fifth today, on 16 points. Salzgitter/Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG with Spengler/Paffett leads the team ranking with 42 points; this can be compared to the Constructors’ Championship in Formula One.
Susie Stoddart (TV Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class) was in the lead once during the first round of pit stops and ended up seventh – the Scottish lady took her first DTM points. Fellow countryman David Coulthard (Deutsche Post AMG Mercedes C-Class) however missed them. Having qualified a strong eighth for only his third DTM race he was involved in a first-lap incident without own fault and had to retire on lap three.
Ralf Schumacher (Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class) missed a points finish by 8.103sec and came home ninth. CongFu Cheng (stern AMG Mercedes C-Class) finished 12th and Maro Engel (GQ AMG Mercedes C-Class) ended up 15th. After being hit by Oliver Jarvis (Audi) he had to make an unscheduled third pit stop.
A total of 79,000 spectators attended the DTM race at the Lausitzring during the weekend.
The start:Starting from pole position for the third time in his DTM career, Paul Di Resta maintained the top spot into the first corner ahead of Bruno Spengler, second in qualifying, and Jamie Green who moved up from fourth on the grid. David Coulthard, who had qualified eighth in only his third DTM race, made a poor start and at turn 5 he was involved in an incident of two Audi drivers without own fault. He made it back to the pits and rejoined the race after repairs one lap down.
Lap 5: Re-start. Paul Di Resta was in the lead ahead of Bruno Spengler and Jamie Green. Last year’s winner Gary Paffett, ninth in qualifying, was already in fifth position. David Coulthard went back to the pits and retired.
Lap 7:Maro Engel made an unscheduled pit stop because of damage at the right rear after being hit by Oliver Jarvis.
Lap 14:Gary Paffett (sixth) came into the pits for his first stop.
Lap 16:Susie Stoddart drove in fourth position.
Lap 18: Paul Di Resta pitted from the lead and Bruno Spengler took first place ahead of Jamie Green. CongFu Cheng (10th) completed his first stop.
Lap 19: Bruno Spengler (first) came into the pits. Jamie Green, now in the top spot, followed one lap later.
Lap 21:The new leader Susie Stoddart pitted and Paul Di Resta was back in first place.
Lap 25:Ralf Schumacher (sixth) came in for his first routine halt.
Lap 29:First mandatory stop by Maro Engel (13th) who had picked up new tyres already on lap seven. Gary Paffett (sixth) pitted for the second time one lap later.
Lap 31:Second stop by Ralf Schumacher (eighth).
Lap 34:Paul Di Resta completed his second stop from the lead. He lost about three seconds because the left rear wheel nut got stuck.
Lap 35:Bruno Spengler (first) and Jamie Green (second) came in simultaneously. Spengler resumed just ahead of Paul Di Resta.
Lap 36:Susie Stoddart (third) completed her second stop. Two laps later, also CongFu Cheng (10th) pitted for the second time.
Lap 38:All drivers had completed their mandatory stops. Bruno Spengler held the lead ahead of Paul Di Resta and Jamie Green. Gary Paffett was fifth and Susie Stoddart seventh.
Finish (lap 52):Triple win for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Bruno Spengler took victory ahead of Paul Di Resta and Jamie Green. Gary Paffett came home fifth and Susie Stoddart seventh – one place ahead of two-times champion Timo Scheider (Audi) she clinched her first DTM points.
Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class) winner: “It’s a great feeling to finally win again after three years. Already on the final lap I had goose bumps and now I am only happy. I thank my team for a perfect car, perfect pit stops and a perfect strategy. The victory is also a birthday present for my girlfriend Franziska. Sorry for Paul and the mishap during his stop.”
Paul Di Resta (AMG Mercedes C-Class) second:”I had everything under control and was in an easy lead. However, during my second pit stop I lost a lot of time and I dropped to second place. After pole position and such a good race, this is really disappointing. But I am second overall and there is still a long season ahead of us.”
Jamie Green (Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes C-Class) third: “A very good race for me and I am happy that I finished on the podium again with my 2008 car.”
Gary Paffett (Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class) fifth: “Following the poor qualifying and starting ninth on the grid it is important to take at least four points. I lacked a bit of speed and was not able to chase Mike Rockenfeller in front of me.”
Susie Stoddart (TV-Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class) seventh: “In the points – finally! This is my best race and my most beautiful day in DTM so far. My C-Class was great and our team did an excellent job. With these points I also want to say thank you to everybody at Mercedes-Benz and Persson Motorsport who did not stop to support me.”
Ralf Schumacher (Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class) ninth: “Today I had quite a solid speed and starting 17th on the grid, the ninth-place finish is quite reasonable. I have to improve in the qualifyings, and then I should achieve better race results.”
CongFu Cheng (stern AMG Mercedes C-Class) 12th:”A solid race for me. I still have to learn how to make my way through the field.”
Maro Engel (GQ AMG Mercedes C-Class) 15th: “After Oliver Jarvis had run into me, my car’s body was bent down onto the right rear tyre, so I had to pit. Afterwards my C-Class was ok again, but I was too far behind the field to improve my position.”
David Coulthard (Deutsche Post AMG Mercedes C-Class) retired due to an accident without own fault: “I made a poor start and lost some positions. At turn 5, I suddenly saw Mattias Ekström right in front of me and was not able to avoid him. The impact broke my suspension and I couldn’t continue. It’s a shame, particularly after my really good qualifying, but basically we move forward and now I look forward to the Norisring.”
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:”A great race for us and a nice triple victory: congratulations to Bruno, Paul and Jamie, well done, guys. Sorry for the problem during Paul’s pit stop. Susie Stoddart was sensational – she took her first points in the DTM. This is our eighth win out of the last 12 races – our C-Class and its drivers and teams were real class.”
