Bernd Schneider is the champion!

Bruno Spengler won the DTM race today at Le Mans in France – but the real winner today is Bernd Schneider who secured his fifth DTM title! Tom Kristensen finished third in the race which was not enough to stop Schneider who took the nessecesary points with fifth position.

The race started in a spectacular fashion with three cars being eliminated, bringing the safety car out. One of the first things that happened was Mattias Ekström going off the track and on to the grass after being pushed by Pierre Kaffer. Ekström was unable to stop the car on the grass and went back out on the track which caused Stippler and Lauda to crash. All three drivers retired.

Bernd Schneider had a close call in the first lap action as he had to take evasive action to avoid the commotion. Schneider went far out in the gravel but could continue moments later, joining up behind the safety car.

As the racing resumed Spengler and Häkkinen tore off in the front and it was not until the very last lap things got close for the lead. Spengler kept the lead during the entire race, but coming out on the last lap Häkkinen was all over the back of the Canadian. When the chequered flag dropped, only 0.3 seconds separated the two.

Behind the leaders, Tomczyk and Schneider fought hard. Schneider made yet another one of his very nice drives through the field. He started ninth, dropped several positions in the start incident but was able to finish fifth only 0.3 seconds behind Tomczyk in fourth.

Another hard, but not fair, fight stood between Green and Frentzen. As Green exited the pits after his second stop the Brit got out right ahead of Kristensen. The Dane immediately passed him after a decisive manoeuvre in the first corner. Frentzen tried to follow him but could not get past immediately. As the German got up along side Green on the outside, the Mercedes-driver tapped the Audi-driver who briefly went off track. The judgers decided to penalise Green with a drive-through penalty.

Tom Kristensen finished a lonely third, 12 seconds behind the leaders. The podium finish was far from what Kristensen needed. In the championship he drops to third position, new second place man is Spengler after his victory today.

Thed Björk finished 14:th in his first ever race of the German series. Björk held a high pace during the race, keepig ahead of Christian Abt at one stage among others, but was pushed in to a spin by Stefan Mücke. Björk lost a couple of positions while Mücke’s front of the car became badly damaged. Mücke was forced to pit to repair the car while Björk continued.

Bernd Schneider (DTM champion 2006, Vodafone AMG-Mercedes): “Today, I am really, really happy, having won my fifth DTM title. After the start, things were not particularly looking well for me, as I had run through the gravel trap and was last in the field. Thanks to a fantastic car and a perfect strategy, I still managed to make up into fifth place. I will be back to defend my title next year! I still enjoy racing in the DTM very much.”

Bruno Spengler (1st place, DaimlerChrysler Bank AMG-Mercedes): “I am very, very happy with my third victory. Winning at Le Mans is particularly beautiful, after all, racing here in France is something like a home race for me. Congratulations to Bernd, he is a worthy champion. I am now runner-up in the overall standings and will do everything I can to keep that position at Hockenheim.”

Mika Häkkinen (2nd Vodafone AMG-Mercedes): “After a difficult season, I am happy to be back on the podium again. Bernd’s title win shows in an exemplary way how team work is being done. Well done, Bernd!”

Tom Kristensen (3rd place, Audi Sport Team Abt): “Congratulations to Bernd! He is a worthy champion as he has been showing a consistent performance throughout the season. Of course, I am disappointed, as I also had chances of winning the title. Unfortunately, we never really used our opportunities, but there are still many races. Another chance next year!”

Mercedes-Benz motor sport director Norbert Haug: “This is a great day for the entire team. They have done a perfect job and I want to thank all our three teams. After we have lost the last two races to Audi, this is a great result and the best situation for the final at Hockenheim. The fact that Bernd still made it up into fifth place from the back of the field is a great performance. We have always kept our faith in Bernd and his performance and his title doesn’t come by chance. After 15 years, we know each other and that is a good basis for being successful together. All in all, I think that this was Bernd Schneider’s strongest season. He is a real champion and has deserved the title.”

Audi motor sport director Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: “First of all, congratulations to Mercedes-Benz and especially to Bernd Schneider for winning the title. An old hand has won again. Here, we have seen a strong performance by the Mercedes teams. But we were also strong here, especially in qualifying yesterday. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough today in the race, altough our cars became quicker and quicker as the race went on. Now, we are working all-out to claim runner-up position for Tom Kristensen at Hockenheim.“