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Scheider delighted to repay Audi faith

Timo Scheider says he was delighted to repay the faith shown in him by Audi by winning the DTM title at Hockenheim on Sunday

Scheider raced in the DTM for Opel from 2000 to 2004 but was dropped by the manufacturer and left without a drive for 2005. He spent that season in FIA GT and finished runner-up in the championship alongside Michael Bartels in a Vitaphone Maserati MC12.

Audi then signed him for a DTM return in 2006 in a one-year-old car and then promoted him to the front line Team Abt last season, when he scored the first podium of his DTM career in the season finale at Hockenheim.

He was a surprise title contender this season but took an early championship lead with five podiums in the first six races. He sealed the crown at Hockenheim on Sunday with his third victory of the year, beating his main rival, Mercedes' Paul di Resta.

Scheider thanked Audi's motorsport boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich for believing in him when nobody else did, and dedicated this year's title to him.

"I've been racing in the DTM since 2000 and I've had some hard times," said Scheider. "I had nobody who believed in me and I wasn't here in 2005.

"But I had some good results in FIA GT and then I spoke to Dr Ullrich. He trusted in my experience and the things I have done in the past and he gave me the chance to come back. This prize is for him."

Scheider added that he was pleased to seal the title by beating his rival on the track in the decider.

"It was great to race with him directly behind me, that was the best way answer to all the questions - to beat him today," he said. "That's the best way to win the championship."

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