“It is very close up in front, you always have to be sorted perfectly”, Ekstrom’s team-boss Hans-Jurgen Abt summed up. “I am already looking forward to the 2004 season, we will be attacking all out again.”
Third eventually fell to Fassler following a decisive lap 22 on Dumbreck, who continued to hassle the Mercedes man to the finish in another gritty drive from the Scotsman that yet again earned praise from Opel boss Volker Strycek.
“It was incredibly exciting for everyone,” said the former DTM Champ turned motorsport director. “We would have liked to be on the podium, because today, Peter was among the front runners from the very beginning. He has been driving a magnificent race. But when it is so close in front, the slightest mistake makes you lose one place.
“During the season, we kept on developing and we were capable of winning during the last races. Just that is what we wanted to achieve, and right here at this great final, we have proven it once again. Congratulations to Bernd Schneider, he is a worthy champion.”
“I have been fighting hard, but it just wasn’t enough,” said an exhausted Dumbreck. “Now, we will continue in 2004 where we have finished here. I am very satisfied with the season, because we have reached our goals. My goal for 2004 is quite easy: I want to stay with Opel and win the championship!”
Aiello salvaged some pride from a disappointing season with fifth place, just two seconds behind Dumbreck at the finish and seven seconds ahead of Schneider with Timo Scheider and Audi Junior driver Peter Terting claiming the final two points scoring positions.
A rash of late retirements, including Manuel Reuter and Gary Paffett, and a Karl Wendlinger assisted spin for Jeroen Bleekemolen allowed Albers to move up to 12th at the finish although ‘Smokin’ Jo Winkelhock’s final DTM appearance ended with a whimper after just nine laps.
