René Rast and Audi as fine strategists at Zandvoort

René Rast (Audi) played a nice strategic trick against the competition this Sunday at Zandvoort, to achieve its first success of the year in DTM. It is also Audi's first victory this season in the German championship. 

Qualified third on the grid behind Gary Paffett (Mercedes) and Philipp Eng (BMW), the former winner of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring plunged into the pit lane at the end of the first lap, imitated by his teammate Nico Müller. 

In the lead, Gary Paffett is leading the way, while Philipp Eng has to face constant pressure from Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes). Paffett, winner yesterday, quickly widened the gap and had a lead of more than four seconds.

After the tenth lap, however, the hierarchy changed with the leader stopping, leaving Wehrlein in the lead. Paffett, on the other hand, emerges behind René Rast, but with fresher tires, we say that the Briton, dominant since the start of the Dutch weekend, will find an opening on the leading Audi RS 5.

If Robin Frijns (Audi) saw his race stopped a few moments later, due to a technical problem, Wehrlein continued his effort at the front before in turn stopping on the 19th lap. Enough to leave Rast the new leader ahead of Paffett and di Resta.

The safety car then intervenes on the 21st lap, following the exit of Bruno Spengler (BMW) at the first Tarzan corner, after contact with Jamie Green (Audi), who will be penalized for the maneuver.

The reason for the safety car. Aim @BrunoSpengler is still in the game. pic.twitter.com/rgW5qujRLs

- DTM (@DTM) July 15, 2018

Nothing to worry about Rast who controls the restart and the end of the race to win ahead of Paffett and Paul di Resta (Mercedes). The BMWs of Augusto Farfus and Philipp Eng complete the top 5. Loïc duval (Audi) finished 15th after being notably involved in contact after the restart.

Gary Paffett remains solid leader in the general classification with 27 points ahead of Paul di Resta.

Race 2 ranking

Discover the report of the Zandvoort DTM event, in issue 2174 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version and from this Wednesday on newsstands.