Photo and report: Willem J. Staat

Martin Tomczyk takes points lead after Brands Hatch win

Two sunny practice and qualifying days were of no importance as the pre-race festivities started at Brands Hatch. Since 2006 the DTM has raced at Brands Hatch without any rain and the teams had no rain data to relay on. When the grid festivities started heavy showers came down and it would be wet throughout the entire DTM race only. For the majority of the teams a disaster as they had no wet set-up information. Polesitter Mike Rockenfeller had absolutely no advantage of his position as he soon dropped back and finally would finish 6th. But the Audi-trio Martin Tomczyk, Mattias Ekström and Edoardo Mortara completed dominated the race with Mortara even leading at some stage. The Italian finished 3rd and collected his maiden podium in his seventh DTM event.

After Rockenfeller dropped back Martin Tomczyk dominated and the 29th years old German took his 3rd win of the year. In the points standings he overtook Canadian Bruno Spengler who had a miserable weekend. He qualified 6th but lost two spots on the grid due to an infringement of the tyres. He finished 7th. Enough for Martin Tomczyk to take the lead. Briton Gary Paffett was the best placed Mercedes drive and finished fourth, Ralf Schumacher clinched 5th place.

Jamie Green finished 8th. Formula Ford, Racecarseries and the VW Scirocco Cup were part of the meeting. Lewis Hamilton’s brother and father were to take part in the VW Scirocco’s but were being withdrawn due to license issue.