Photo and report: Willem J. Staat

Canadian Bruno Spengler lost the DTM title at last year’s final round in China. For this season he look the favourite for the title. Spengler has come close to it several times but just missed out. This must be his year. Spengler took pole for the race and completely dominated the event with his AMG Mercedes C-Class. Swedish Audi driver Mattias Ekström finished 2nd, just being recoverd from an hand injury at a volleyball match. In between he also became a father. Despite a slight clash at the start with Spengler he finished 2nd. Ralf Schumacher collected his first DTM podium and silenced all his critics.  “I think Mercedes Benz and my mechanics for their patience” he said. During qualifying Gary Paffett landed in the gravel trap and had to start from the back of the grid. From 18th he moved to 6th, and drove one of the best races of his career.

Norbert Haug: “A cool race from Bruno. He made his mark on the weekend, and that with the handicap that he had not been able to drive in first practice. Normally this means the end of the weekend.”

The F3 Euroseries races which counted towards the F3 Euroseries and FIA Int F3 Trophy attracted just 16 entries only. Roberto Merhi won two races and his fellow countryman Daniel Juncadella won one race. The teams from the British F3 championsip played a role of minor importance.