The final point-scoring positions were split between the Mercedes of Jean Alesi and Opel's Laurent Aiello, but not before the ex-
F1 man had enjoyed a spirited scrap with another Opel newcomer - and former F1 rival - Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Both pilots were unwilling to give a single millimetre, but Frentzen's challenge eventually waned, dropping the German to twelfth while his French adversary managed to hang on for seventh.
“I had an exciting race and the battle with Frentzen was fun," Alesi said afterwards, "It was difficult to pass here, so I’m happy about the two points I scored today.”
Frentzen's performance, in only his second DTM event, spurred Opel team boss Volker Strycek to comment that the series had not seen the best of the German yet.
"I was absolutely confident in Heinz-Harald after his test sessions in the winter, and was sure that he would be strong," Strycek said, "He showed us here how quick he can be."
Aiello finished eighth despite a spin while chasing Marcel Fässler, inheriting the position when his stable-mate was forced to retire with a broken suspension link late on. The incident also promoted OPC Team Phoenix team-mate Peter Dumbreck to ninth, but the Scot was unable to repeat his point-scoring form from Hockenheim.
