Three drivers are in for a shot at the DTM 2012 title in the season finale at Hockenheim this weekend. Two of them are Mercedes drivers, with current championship leader Gary Paffett and third-placed Jamie Green. Bruno Spengler is BMW’s only hope for the title in second.
Paffett has held the lead for the majority of the season and is hoping to turn around the past couple of races’ poor performance at Hockenheim.
“In the past, Hockenheim has always been a good stomping ground for me – at no other track have I won more DTM races and finished so frequently on the podium as at the Hockenheimring. At the season opener in Hockenheim five and a half months ago, Jamie and I secured a one-two win. I would like to be in contention for another win in the finale at Hockenheim and hopefully secure the championship. We looked carefully at the race weekend in Valencia, and yes, whilst we had a tough race there, I’m full of confidence as the season finale approaches. I don’t think we will be all conquering as at the season opener, but our DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé should be extremely competitive,” said Paffett.
Spengler has on the other hand had an impressive run of results in the past couple of races and has closed the gap to Paffett to just three points.
“It is fantastic to be just three points behind Gary Paffett in the drivers’ standings. Our goal is obviously to overturn his lead. However, this definitely does not mean we will change our approach. We will go about our job in our usual focussed manner. I am really looking forward to the grand finale to a great season,” said Spengler.
Green is the final driver with a shot at the title, 18 points from team mate Paffett with 25 left to be fought for.
“I still have a chance of winning the championship in our home race at the season finale in Hockenheim. It’s possible to make up an 18-point deficit with the new system of scoring, but of course, I will have to wait and see what results Gary and Bruno Spengler achieve this weekend before I dare look at the standings. Nothing has changed as regards my approach. I will do my best in order to qualify as far up the field as possible and win the finale as in the previous year,” said Green.
While all Audi drivers are out of the title fight, Audi is heading the manufacturers’ standings.
“At Valencia, we achieved our stage-win and took over the leadership in the manufacturers’ championship. Our aim for Hockenheim is to extend this lead with a similarly positive team performance. We’re going to give everything to make this happen,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.
Audi has only won two races this year, both taken by Team Rosberg driver Edoardo Mortara.
“I’m really hoping for us to be competitive again at Hockenheim and that we won’t have any technical problems with the car. And of course I’m also hoping that the car will be as fast again there as it was last was at Valencia,” said Mortara.
