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14th
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Audi's Mattias Ekström ended a nine-year domination of Mercedes at the Norisring, when he crossed the finish-line of round five of the DTM season in first position. The Swede beat Canadian Robert Wickens (Mercedes) to the win.
Second-place was still Wickens' best result yet in the DTM. For the occasion, he got to share the podium also with his teammate Christian Vietoris. Meanwhile, his countryman Bruno Spengler (BMW) slipped to second in the championship, after finishing sixth. Because he came in one place ahead of Spengler, Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) is now alone at the top of the standings.
Ekström started only ninth, but took advantage of two full-course yellows and a perfect strategy to give Audi its first win at the Nüremberg street course since 2004.
Wickens, who started from pole, benefited from a heated battle between Gary Paffett (Mercedes) and Edoardo Mortara (Audi). In a close fight for second place, the two men eventually collided and had to retire.
The disappointing finish was only the tip of the iceberg of Paffett's up and down race. Earlier in the race, he picked up a drive-through penalty for jumping the start, but got back to the front with a bold pitstop strategy, before stumbling upon Mortara.
From second on the grid beside his countryman, Spengler was probably hoping for a better result, but lost many places in the pits. He was first leapfrogged by Mortara. Then, was tossed by Ekström and finally dropped down to ninth during the second phase of pitstops. Paffett and Mortara's retirements, and a late pass on Roberto Mehri (Mercedes) earned him back three places.
Co-leader of the championship with Spengler before the race, Rockenfeller managed to save his weekend with a clean race. From 19th on the grid, he shot through to the top five, finishing just behind Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes).
Ekström's win, as well as being Audi's first at the Norisring since 2004, marked the first time since 2006 that neither Spengler nor Jamie Green, only 19th in 2013, stood on the top step of the podium.
Race results - DTM (Norisring, Germany)
1 - Mattias Ekstrom (Audi RS5) - Abt - 83 laps in 1h12'14"698
2 - Robert Wickens (Mercedes C-Coupé) - HWA + 2"646
3 - Christian Vietoris (Mercedes C-Coupé) - HWA + 6"282
4 - Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes C-Coupé) - Mucke + 7"039
5 - Mike Rockenfeller (Audi RS5) - Phoenix + 8"411
6 - Bruno Spengler (BMW M3) - Schnitzer + 17"083
7 - Roberto Merhi (Mercedes C-Coupé) - HWA + 18"594
8 - Joey Hand (BMW M3) - RBM + 31"198
Etc.
Championship
1. Rockenfeller 69 points ; 2. Spengler 67; 3. Vietoris 55; 4. Paffett 47; 5. Ekstrom, Wickens 45; 7. Farfus, Wittmann 33, etc.
Second-place was still Wickens' best result yet in the DTM. For the occasion, he got to share the podium also with his teammate Christian Vietoris. Meanwhile, his countryman Bruno Spengler (BMW) slipped to second in the championship, after finishing sixth. Because he came in one place ahead of Spengler, Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) is now alone at the top of the standings.
Ekström started only ninth, but took advantage of two full-course yellows and a perfect strategy to give Audi its first win at the Nüremberg street course since 2004.
 |
| Mattias Ekström, Audi RS 5 DTM (Photo: Audi Motorsport) |
Wickens, who started from pole, benefited from a heated battle between Gary Paffett (Mercedes) and Edoardo Mortara (Audi). In a close fight for second place, the two men eventually collided and had to retire.
The disappointing finish was only the tip of the iceberg of Paffett's up and down race. Earlier in the race, he picked up a drive-through penalty for jumping the start, but got back to the front with a bold pitstop strategy, before stumbling upon Mortara.
From second on the grid beside his countryman, Spengler was probably hoping for a better result, but lost many places in the pits. He was first leapfrogged by Mortara. Then, was tossed by Ekström and finally dropped down to ninth during the second phase of pitstops. Paffett and Mortara's retirements, and a late pass on Roberto Mehri (Mercedes) earned him back three places.
Co-leader of the championship with Spengler before the race, Rockenfeller managed to save his weekend with a clean race. From 19th on the grid, he shot through to the top five, finishing just behind Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes).
Ekström's win, as well as being Audi's first at the Norisring since 2004, marked the first time since 2006 that neither Spengler nor Jamie Green, only 19th in 2013, stood on the top step of the podium.
 |
| (Photo: Audi Motorsport) |
Race results - DTM (Norisring, Germany)
1 - Mattias Ekstrom (Audi RS5) - Abt - 83 laps in 1h12'14"698
2 - Robert Wickens (Mercedes C-Coupé) - HWA + 2"646
3 - Christian Vietoris (Mercedes C-Coupé) - HWA + 6"282
4 - Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes C-Coupé) - Mucke + 7"039
5 - Mike Rockenfeller (Audi RS5) - Phoenix + 8"411
6 - Bruno Spengler (BMW M3) - Schnitzer + 17"083
7 - Roberto Merhi (Mercedes C-Coupé) - HWA + 18"594
8 - Joey Hand (BMW M3) - RBM + 31"198
Etc.
Championship
1. Rockenfeller 69 points ; 2. Spengler 67; 3. Vietoris 55; 4. Paffett 47; 5. Ekstrom, Wickens 45; 7. Farfus, Wittmann 33, etc.