After eight races into the current Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters campaign, Edoardo Mortara was finally able to secure his first podium of the season in the second dramatic race at the Norisring this weekend.
It showed a good run of form for the Italian, who started from 16th on the grid, to take a second successive points finish, after having a difficult start to the year.
With the battling pair of Mattias Ekström and defending champion Marco Wittmann coming together on the last lap, it was the slightest of chances, but he made it count, with the trio spilt by 0.027 seconds at the finish.
“When you’re in a fight like that with two other guys, it’s like a drag race from the last turn to the finish line. It was tough, but ultimately it went my way and I had my nose in front,” admitted Mortara, who is now 13th in the standings.
“Third place from 16th on the grid is simply unbelievable. This is a fantastic result for the team and for me. I could have had a podium already – that was in Race 2 at Hockenheim – but I made a mistake there.
“I’m so pleased to have got my first DTM podium as a member of the Mercedes team. Hopefully, there will be more of these in the future.”
“It’s not easy to sum up in words exactly what happened here,” said Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport DTM, Ulrich Fritz, referring to the crash that involved both Mike Rockenfeller and Gary Paffett, but was also surprised by the close finish for third at the end of the race.
“The photo-finish in particular was absolutely amazing. Ending up on the podium with Luggi and Edo today is incredible and makes up for yesterday.”