Mercedes-Benz driver Gary Paffett clinched the sixth round of the DTM today [Sunday] at the Nurburgring, with a start to finish victory, in front of a sell-out crowd of over 100,000 spectators.
Paffett's win adds to those achieved at the Norisring, at the exhibition race in Shanghai and at Hockenheim.
"I had an exceptionally fantastic weekend here," noted Paffett. "It's actually my fifth win of the season. Sadly two didn't count towards the championship.
"I had a good start today. We brought forward my second pit stop as Emanuele Pirro had held me back. But Emanuele was in the lead and that's just part of racing."
Mercedes boss Norbert Haug was quick to praise the Brit.
"Gary Paffett drove a flawless race," he added. "It wasn't always easy and unproblematic for him, but he gave his all. It is therefore a very valuable victory for him. What's particularly impressive is that Gary has only driven in 14 touring car races."
Second-placed Swede Mattias Ekstrom driving an Audi A4 DTM secured eight points in the championship standings, which he now heads in front of his fiercest rival Christijan Albers.
"My start wasn't that great," said Ekstrom. "I was a bit cautious going into the first turn, which allowed Peter Dumbreck to overtake me. But he then made a mistake after four turns and I was able to pass him again. I was just as fast as Gary. But he was at the front from the start and didn't make any mistakes. That's why he deserved to win. Congratulations. My aim for the weekend was the lead in the championship – and now I've got that. I'm happy."
Albers drove for a long time in third place before he fell back into 12th following a thrilling duel with Marcel Fässler, after which he soon had to retire into the pits.
Mercedes-Benz driver Bernd Schneider meanwhile took advantage of the situation, overtaking the two drivers on the inside to slot into third ahead of Fassler.
