Schneider said: ''It's an overwhelming feeling to defend my title this way and to start with #1 next year again. My car ran perfectly the whole weekend and it was all fun from the first minute to the chequered flag. I'm looking forward to the last two races when I will be able to drive without pressure. In the final at Hockenheim, I want to present the fans a great show.''
In the first corner, Uwe Alzen was hit by Alain Menu (Opel Astra V8 Coupé) and therefore touched Dumbreck's car. After the safety car period, Alzen had an exciting battle with Patrick Huisman (Eschmann-Stahl AMG Mercedes) who was able to pass Alzen. After both drivers had pitted on lap 9, Alzen fought back and passed Huisman.
''Congratulations to Bernd on his title win,'' Uwe Alzen said. ''After the incident with Alain Menu at the beginning, I unfortunately lost several positions. My front spoiler splitter was damaged causing severe understeer in right-hand corners. The highlights of my race were the fights with Patrick and Marcel after my pit stop.''
Marcel Fässler who was third in the opening stages of the race, pitted on lap 13 and rejoined the race just ahead of Alzen but lost this position to his team mate on the same lap. Fässler finally finished sixth.
Two weeks prior to his first DTM home race at Zandvoort, Dutchman Patrick Huisman came home fifth. Darren Turner in the Service 24h AMG Mercedes ended up tenth after two stop-and-go penalties. First, at the dummy grid, his team put the car on its wheels too late, and then Turner was fined for pit-lane speeding.
Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Director Norbert Haug commented: ''The way, Bernd and his team have won the championship today was really impressive. Bernd was a class of his own and performed like a true champion. With his speed he was the benchmark for the whole field. Congratulations on that and on his championship title by our entire team.''
