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Schneider wins again!

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Bernd Schneider proved that he is a championship contender today. Schneider managed to win the race today at Eurospeedway. The German won the race ahead of Kristensen and Häkkinen. And it was a thrilling race with alot of overtaking and action.

Jamie Green held pole position but was overtaken in to the first corner by the rocket-starting Mika Häkkinen and Ekström. Häkkinen then manged to get a small gap down to Ekström and Green who fought hard with each other.

Ekström had a different strategy compared to Häkkinen, Green and Schneider. While the Mercedes-drivers pitted early, Ekström stayed out on a very long first stint. The Mercedes-drivers held a higher pace then the Audi-drivers, but tactics played in the Audi-drivers hands.

The Mercedes-drivers were held up as they came out of the pits by Audi-drivers that stayed out longer. This made it possible for Ekström to keep on to second place after the first pitstop. Häkkinen held the lead as the drivers came in for their second stop. But unfortiunately for the Finn his team managed had severe problems with his rear-left tyre.

As Häkkinen exited the pits Schneider took the lead, Ekström second and Kristensen third. Häkkinen was fourth with Green right behind. And Green was really on the move. Coming in to one of the slower corners Green dove on the inside of Häkkinen and the carbon fibre spewed all over the place. Green passed an furious Häkkinen.

The final order seemed to be Schneider-Ekström-Kristensen-Green-Häkkinen with only two laps to go. But coming in to the first corner on the penultimate lap Ekström’s Audi suddenly slowed down and was passed by all drivers. Ekström was forced to retire, promoting Kristensen to second and Green to third. But another postion change was to be before the finish.

Green let Häkkinen past on the very last metres of the final straight before the finish line. Schneider won the race, Kristensen second, Häkkinen third and Green fourth. Spengler took fifth place behind the fighting pack.

Stay tuned for driver comments.