Scheider takes title with victory
Timo Scheider wrapped up the DTM title in style by winning the final race of the year at Hockenheim
The Audi driver snatched the lead from third on the grid at the start and then opened up a gap that he would never lose to title rival Paul di Resta during the pit stops.
"It is an unbelievable feeling right now, I was fighting the tears on the last lap," said Scheider. "Maybe I will have to stand out the back without anyone around me before I start believing it. It has been a perfect day."
Di Resta came home second, just three seconds adrift, but the Mercedes driver was never quite close enough to attack his German rival at any point.
After letting the fast-starting Scheider through into the lead into Turn 1, Mattias Ekstrom briefly held up di Resta on the opening lap.
The Swede ran wide into Turns 2 and 3 to keep the Mercedes at bay, to the point that Jamie Green passed them both into the hairpin. Ekstrom was later given a three-second stop-go penalty for lining up outside of his grid marks at the start.
Di Resta closed in during the first stint, but Scheider extended the gap during the pit stops and maintained it for the remainder of the race.
"First of all we have to congratulate Timo, he's had a great season," said Di Resta. "He did a great job today. I'm a bit disappointed with Mattias Ekstrom, but I'm happy with second. It's been a strong season in my first year with the top team at Mercedes."
Di Resta crossed the line with a queue of cars behind him, as Jamie Green and Bruno Spengler caught him during the final laps, while Tom Kristensen closed up to them on the final lap in fifth place.
Behind them, Bernd Schneider took sixth place in his final DTM Pos Driver Car Gap
1. Timo Scheider Audi 59:01.290
2. Paul di Resta Mercedes +3.062
3. Jamie Green Mercedes +3.549
4. Bruno Spengler Mercedes +4.293
5. Tom Kristensen Audi +4.734
6. Bernd Schneider Mercedes +15.300
7. Mattias Ekstrom Audi +19.839
8. Martin Tomczyk Audi +20.635
9. Mike Rockenfeller Audi +37.154
10. Oliver Jarvis Audi +44.263
11. Gary Paffett Mercedes +54.135
12. Maro Engel Mercedes +54.542
13. Alexandre Premat Audi +1:04.597
14. Ralf Schumacher Mercedes +1:05.432
Retirements
Katherine Legge Audi 26 laps
Mathias Lauda Mercedes 2 laps
Markus Winkelhock Audi 2 laps
Susie Stoddart Mercedes 2 laps
Christijan Albers Audi 2 laps
Fastest lap, di Resta 1:33.576 on lap 14
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