“The weekend didn't go that well for me – I was lacking consistency all the time. Yesterday's qualifying wasn't too good as I made a slight mistake and had to start from fifth place today. I am all-the-more happy with my second place.”
Tom Kristensen finished where he had started to be the best-placed Audi driver in third on a disappointing day for the marque, just over five seconds adrift of Green. The man known as ‘Mr Le Mans' lost out after he rejoined the circuit following his first pit-stop behind Susie Stoddart, enabling Green and di Resta to pull clear.
“The DTM is really tough,” the Dane reflected. “I am more-or-less happy with the result and I am happy with being on the podium again. My car was excellent and the team did two great pit-stops. Jamie Green really deserved this victory; he drove a great race.”
Five-time series king Bernd Schneider made it three Mercedes' in the top four with fourth spot, ahead of Oliver Jarvis, who registered the finest result of his fledgling tin-top career courtesy of an impressively composed performance – and with it secured the honour of first 2007-spec machine past the finishing post. The final points-scorers were completed by the Audi trio of reigning champion Mattias Ekström, Markus Winkelhock and Alex Prémat.
Martin Tomczyk – until Mugello holding second position in the drivers' standings – endured a nightmare race, colliding with fellow Audi ace Mike Rockenfeller on the opening lap in a contre-temps that also accounted for
Formula 1 refugee
Ralf Schumacher. Tomczyk was forced to pit for repairs – leaving him down in an unrepresentative 17th place at the chequered flag – whilst Schumacher toured around to the pits and into retirement at the end of lap four.
With the next round of the series due to take place at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz on 18 May, and the top seven drivers in the rankings now separated by just seven points, both Mercedes and Audi are aware there is much to play for over the remainder of the campaign.
