Nurburgring: Aiello ends Audi's drought

Aiello got the drop on poleman Mattias Ekstrom (Audi) at the start to take the lead, leaving Ekstrom to fend off the attentions of the chasing Merc of Albers. Martin Tomczyk held fourth in his Audi, but had clashed with Opel's Peter Dumbreck at the first corner and damaged his car, which would force him out later.

Albers got past Ekstrom for second at Turn 1 after the first round of mandatory pitstops and closed right up with Aiello before the second stops. But a quick turnaround gave Aiello his advantage back, leaving Albers to fight over second with Schneider.

Schneider grabbed second at Turn 1 on lap 27, but then ran wide three laps later to gift the position back again. Albers closed to within 1.3secs of Aiello at the finish, but the outcome was never really in doubt.

Behind Schneider, Ekstrom finished fourth ahead of the AMG Mercs of Marcel Fassler and Jean Alesi. Timo Scheider was the top Opel in seventh after Dumbreck got a pit speeding penalty and spun. He finished 10th but set fastest lap. On a brighter note for Britain, Gary Paffett scored his first DTM point in eighth after a strong run.


Laurent Aiello (F) Abt-Audi TT-R, 41 laps
Christijan Albers (NL) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, +1.3s
Bernd Schneider (D) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, +6.2s
Mattias Ekstrom (S) Abt-Audi TT-R, +7.5s
Marcel Fässler (CH) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, +15.2s
Jean Alesi (F) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, +34.3s
Timo Scheider (D) Phoenix Opel Astra V8 Coupé, +36.1s
Gary Paffett (GB) 2002 Rosberg Mercedes-Benz CLK, +36.7s
Alain Menu (CH) Holzer Opel Astra V8 Coupé, +43.3s
Peter Dumbreck (GB) Phoenix Opel Astra V8 Coupé, +48.9s