DTM – Green at the last minute at the Norisring

Rainy conditions at the Norisring forced the organizers to bring out the safety car for the start of the race which was shortened to 78 laps. The drivers did not fail to put on a show when the safety car returned to the pits since no less than seven drivers made mistakes in the first turn, including pole sitter Gary Paffett (Mercedes). Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes) found himself temporarily in the lead, but the German had to retire after extending his first stint and encountering mechanical problems. There were numerous clashes in this event and caused several victims including Mattias Ekström (Audi) after contact with the M3 DTM by Augusto Farfus who also dropped out.

The track dried out in the final laps of the race but the drivers who opted for slick tires still fell in the standings. The propeller manufacturer was on course for a one-two finish with Martin Tomczyk leading the race ahead of his teammate Bruno Spengler, but Jamie Green produced a sensational comeback to successively pass the two BMW drivers in the final laps. The Briton leaned on the German's M3 DTM in the final corner to cross the finish line as the winner ahead of the two BMWs. Gary Paffett (Mercedes) remains at the top of the Championship after failing to reach the podium, the Briton now 26 points ahead of the winner of the Norisring. David Coulthard (Mercedes) completes the top five ahead of Mike Rockenfeller who saves Audi's honor by being the only driver from the brand with the rings to finish in the top ten. Adrien Tambay could aim for the points but the Frenchman received a drive-through for his contact with Susie's Class C Wolff and only finished in 15th place. On the other hand, the Canadian Robert Wickens with Mercedes signs his first top ten by taking ninth place.

Discover the report from the DTM at the Norisring in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, available from Tuesday in digital version for iPad, PC and Mac, and from Wednesday on newsstands.