Jamie Green fought his way through the field to finish third in race two at Zolder after starting from ninth on the grid. The Audi Sport Team Rosberg driver was forced to climb the order again after making a second pitstop under the safety car.
Green, who featured in the top ten throughout the Zolder weekend, ended a 24 race spell without a podium.
“I didn’t get on the podium at all last year,” explained Green, “which is the first season of my DTM career without a podium.
“Today’s race was pretty exciting, to come from ninth to third was really good so I’m very happy.”
Adding to the result is the fact that Green has never raced at the Belgian circuit before.
“It is my first time ever at Zolder, so I thought I was in for a tough weekend,” Green revealed, “so I am pretty happy to get out of here with a podium.”
The 36 year old pulled off an alternative two-stop strategy, heading for the pit lane when the safety car was called out mid-race.
“With the current regulations the tyre degradation is very high. You definitely benefit by being on fresh tyres.”
Green would line up in ninth position for the restart, before fighting his way through to the podium.
“This track is very difficult to overtake, so I really had to make some proper moves to go forward.”
One of the standout moments of the race was when Green went three-wide with R-Motorsport’s Jake Dennis and BMW Team RMR driver Timo Glock into turn one. Passing both to move up to fifth place.
“I didn’t have any DRS or push-to-pass left so I had to overtake Dennis and Glock and I got both of them at the same time, which was a good move.”
Then Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver Mike Rockenfeller moved aside to let Green attack the podium places.
“Then I had the pace to catch those guys and thanks to Rocky for letting me by.”
Green hounded pole-sitter BMW Team RBM’s Sheldon van der Linde in the final few laps before getting past under braking for turn eight on the final lap.
“It was do-or-die on the last lap, and I made it stick.”