Marco Wittmann resists René Rast's return to Brands Hatch

Mark Wittman does not plan to abdicate any time soon to obtain the 2019 title in DTM. The BMW driver beat the two championship leaders René Rast and Nico Müller (Audi) this Saturday during the first race at Brands Hatch in England.

The start was marked by the lightning flight from the second row of Paul di Resta (Aston Martin), coming to take the advantage over Marco Wittmann, René Rast and Loïc duval (Audi), having all experienced a more delicate start on a track still showing a few patches of humidity.

An idyllic start to the race for the Briton, but quickly extinguished by an investigation and a penalty for a stolen start. Looking at the on-board camera footage, the decision perhaps seemed a little harsh.

That 'jump start' – video evidence from the stewards' camera that shows Di Resta's Aston Martin – agonizingly – rolling slightly just before the red lights go out…#DTMBrandsHatch pic.twitter.com/wy8lGUUguN

- DTM (@DTM) August 10

If the old driver F1 remains in the lead ahead of Wittmann, Duval and Rast, the order remains virtual since the 5″ penalty in the pits is already ruining di Resta's race. In the Audi clan, Rast sees Duval stepping aside to offer the championship leader the opportunity to go after Wittmann.

But the 2017 champion will not find the opening. No more than after the sequence of pit stops, where Wittmann took advantage of an error by Jamie Green (Audi), author of an early stop compared to the competition, at the start of Paddock Bend to surprise René Rast and Nico Müller, then on tires not yet up to temperature with their stop made earlier than the BMW driver.

If you're going to overtake, do it in style…! Through the middle at Paddock Hill Bend! #DTMBrandsHatch pic.twitter.com/uOaCkdbLAD

- DTM (@DTM) August 10

In the lead, Wittmann will never again be worried, even if the degradation of his tires allows Rast to return at the very end of the race, and wins ahead of the championship leader, whom Nico Müller let pass for 2nd place. “Maybe I was a little too conservative with the tires, commented Rast after the finish. He missed a turn. »

The Audi Sport driver, curiously, did not use all his push-to-pass to try to get back on the leader. Robin Frijns and Loïc Duval complete the top 5 ahead of Philipp Eng (BMW) and Mike Rockenfeller (Audi).

Disillusionment for Paul di Resta (Aston Martin) who could aim for a top 10 before giving up just before the last lap. The best Aston Martin, of Dani Juncadella, however finished 10th.

The clan of Dr Florian Kamleger's team did not have success, since Dani Juncadella was penalized with a drive-through after causing the collision at the start between Timo Glock (BMW) and Jake Dennis (Aston Martin) , eliminating the latter.

Note that Joel Eriksson (BMW) did not start after gearbox problems that arose in qualifying, and which the propeller brand was unable to resolve in time for the race. Pietro Fittipaldi (Audi – Team WRT) withdrew after his exit in qualifying.

In the championship, René Rast now has 178 points against 151 for Nico Müller and 146 for Marco Wittmann.