DTM-C2: Maro Engel takes his first victory in Russia

Maro engel will have waited for his 52nd race in DTM to achieve his first victory in the discipline. The German driver, who first competed in the German championship between 2008 and 2011, before successfully turning to GT, with triumphs in the FIA ​​GT World Cup or the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, won the second round at Moscow Raceway, taking advantage of a timely strategy.

Last on the starting grid, Engel returned to the pits at the end of the first lap, just like Marco Wittmann (BMW), Loïc duval (Audi) and Tom Blomqvist (BMW). A choice which will pay off given the scenario at the start of the race.

If Bruno Spengler (BMW), who started from pole, had retained the advantage at the start against Mattias Ekström (Audi), the Canadian will see his momentum cut by the intervention of the safety car, deployed on the sixth lap after the Maxime Martin (BMW) went off the track, suffering a loss of brakes after falling back to the last positions following contact with Loïc Duval (Audi) at the first corner.

After losing the lead of the race to Mattias Ekström on the 12th lap, Bruno Spengler observed his stop at the end of the 14th lap, when Ekström and René Rast (Audi) waited until the 16th lap to stop in the lane stands.

Engel materializes, Ekström repositions himself

The early passage through the pits of Wittmann and Engel will bring the two drivers to the forefront after the leaders stopped, Engel having taken the advantage over Wittmann, blocked for a long time by Nico Müller (Audi).

Ekström's comeback at the end of the race will not be enough to prevent Engel from winning at the end of this second Russian confrontation. Mattias Ekström, however, regains the lead of the championship by one point against René Rast.

Bruno Spengler finished third after a tough fight with Jamie Green (Audi) and Marco Wittmann. If Green tried to overtake Spengler and Wittmann braking for the last corner at the start of the final lap, the Briton was not able to completely control his maneuver, taking Wittmann to the outside, which ultimately benefited Spengler and René Rast, fourth at the finish.

Green, Wittmann, Mike Rockenfeller (Audi), Blomqvist, Lucas Auer (Mercedes) and Robert Wickens (Mercedes) complete the top 10. Loïc Duval only finishes 15th.

Race 2 ranking

Find the full report of the Moscow DTM meeting, in issue 2124 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.