Margaritis sent to the back
Alexandros Margaritis of Mercedes will start round six of the DTM from the back of the grid after race stewards disallowed all his qualifying times for what they judged was a deliberate blocking move on a rival Audi
Margaritis - driving a 2005-spec, Persson-run Mercedes - had set the fastest time in the morning's free practice, but was struggling to qualify for the final session of the three-stage 'knock-out' qualifying system. He ended up 11th overall.
He was on his way back to the pits in the closing moments of the session, having taken the shortcut through the NGK chicane.
However, following a radio message from his team to stay on track for another run, Margaritis swerved from the pitlane entrance across the track on the approach to the final corner, just as the Audi of Mattias Ekstrom was coming up behind him.
Ekstrom, who also needed to complete a quick lap to qualify for the next session, was forced to outbrake Margaritis to do so.
The stewards ruled under Article 33.9 and 38.3 of the sporting regulations that Margaritis "didn't respect the approaching car [Ekstrom] being on a fast lap, which led to an obstruction for this driver".
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