DTM-C2: Maxime Martin finds success at the Norisring

Third in the second round in Hungary, second yesterday behind his BMW teammate Bruno Spengler, Max Martin finally returned to victory in DTM, who was fleeing the Belgian driver from the Nürburgring in 2015.

Seventh on the starting grid, Martin made a good first start, returning to fifth position after the first corner. In the lead, Robert Wickens (Mercedes), author of a much better start than poleman Tom Blomqvist (BMW), ahead of Spengler, Nico Müller (Audi), Lucas Auer (Mercedes), Martin and Blomqvist.

At the end of the first lap, Auer, Blomqvist, Augusto Farfus (BMW), Jamie Green (Audi) and Maro Engel (Mercedes) returned to the pits to observe their obligatory stop, while Wickens, Spengler and Martin led the peloton.

The passages through the stands follow one another, and alone Loïc duval (Audi) is pushing back the deadline as far as possible. The Frenchman then takes the lead ahead of virtual leader Lucas Auer and Maxime Martin, the Belgian not finding an opening on the Austrian.

Paffett and Rockenfeller in hospital

The race will be neutralized under safety car regime after the collision between René Rast (Audi) and Robert Wickens. On the restart, Duval resisted Auer, but the latter veered too wide and offered an opening to Martin and Spengler who soon overtook the leader. But bad luck for Spengler, victim of a puncture and who had to return to the pits.

A few moments later, Gary Paffett (Mercedes) fighting with Jamie Green, lost control of his C63 and violently hit the inside wall before finishing his race by hitting Mike Rockenfeller (Audi). The race is interrupted under a red flag. If the two drivers were able to get out of their car, they were taken to hospital for check-ups.

What a crash!!! We're glad both drivers could leave the cars on their own… #DTMNorisring pic.twitter.com/hjPx4bJ6bu

- DTM (@DTM) July 2, 2017

At the restart, Lucas Auer regains the advantage over Maxime Martin, but the Belgian does not give up and regains first position 19 minutes from the finish, which he will keep until the finish in front of Auer.

The last place on the podium, however, offered a fierce fight since in the last corner, Marco Wittmann (BMW) attempted an attack on Mattias Ekström (Audi) for 3rd place. The two drivers came out neck and neck with Edoardo Mortara (Mercedes), who finally crossed the line in third position ahead of Esktröm and Wittmann. Loïc Duval finished 15th.

Race 2 ranking

Find the report of the Norisring event in DTM, in issue 2121 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.