Mercedes-Benz enjoyed a particularly strong start to the new Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season, with British drivers Gary Paffett leading Jamie Green home for a 1-2 finish.
In total there were five Mercedes drivers in the top eight positions, as Christian Vietoris scored his best-ever result in fourth, Ralf Schumacher took seventh despite a penalty and David Coulthard equalled his best-ever result with eighth.
Paffett’s win was his first since the final round in 2010 and the Brit was deligted with the way bis race went. The 31 year-old benefitted from a mistake by early race leader Mattias Ekström to move into second, before passing team-mate Green after making his first pit-stop, the duo going wheel-to-wheel for several corners.
“What a fantastic start to the new DTM era,” said race-winner Paffett. “Many thanks to the team for their hard work – my THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé was tuned perfectly. After a difficult season in 2011, I am pleased to have found the way back to the podium top spot. I’ve always believed in the team and my speed and that’s now paid off. The scrap with Jamie was really exciting and always very fair, which is exactly how racing should be, simply terrific!”
Despite losing out to Paffett, Green was delighted with his second-placed result and full of praise for Paffett after their duel.
“Second place on the podium – what a great way to start the 2012 season,” said Green. “The setup of my Mercedes AMG C-Coupé was perfect for today’s race, so a big ‘thank you’ to my team. I got off to a great start and was able to overtake Mattias Ekström early on to take the lead. The contest with Gary was exciting and always very fair. His first pit stop was even faster than mine, so he came out of the pit lane ahead of me. Even so, I’m well satisfied with my second place and am delighted with the one-two win for Mercedes-Benz in the first race of the season.”
Fourth-placed German Christian Vietoris made up more positions than anyone else on his way to a career-best result, and the 23 year-old was rightfully extremely pleased with his result.
“I had a terrific race at the season opener,” said Vietoris. “After qualifying, I would never have dreamt that I could move up from 15th position to fourth, but my C-Coupé was really well prepared and very fast. The pit crew too did their work brilliantly. Overall, it was a great team effort and I’m also very pleased for Gary and Jamie and their one-two victory.”
Despite being handed a drive-through penalty for contact with BMW drivers Dirk Werner and Bruno Spengler, Ralf Schumacher was able to finish in seventh.
“This was a thrilling and exciting start to the new DTM era,” said Schumacher. “I think that the race made exciting entertainment for the many fans in the stands and at home watching on TV. My result could have been better, but I made a mistake and got a penalty, which I have to accept. My pace was good, so I’m really looking forward to the race next weekend at the Lausitzring.”
Equalling his strongest-ever result in the DTM was Scot David Coulthard. Like Vietoris, Coulthard made up many places during the race, having started down in 18th on the grid.
“A P8 finish and three points in the first race of the season is a good result for me,” said Coulthard. “After all the uncertainty in the winter, it was good to actually drive the car under race conditions and to find out where we are relative to the opposition. The one-two victory for Gary und Jamie shows that our C-Coupé is very fast. However, this competition is very tight and there is still everything to play for.”
Susie Wolff failed to score any points on the first weekend of racing. However the Scottish racer is keen to improve her grid position for the next race at the Lausitzring as she believes her starting position of 21st cost her significantly.
“What a great start to the season for Mercedes-Benz,” said Wolff, née Stoddart. “I’m very happy for Gary and Jamie, and our team result – five C-Coupés in the Top 8 – was just fantastic. My race was predetermined to some extent since I couldn’t do much from my position on the grid, but a twelfth place from the last row is not a bad result. At the next race in Lausitz, I want to secure a better grid position and improve my placing.”