Audi’s decision surprised Mercedes

Audi decided to pull their cars out of the race during the closing laps at Barcelona, after what they felt that several Mercedes drivers were too rough on the track. At that moment both championship leader Mattias Ekström and second placed Martin Tomczyk had been taken out in incidents with Mercedes drivers.

Only six cars were still out on the track when the chequered flag fell and the fans expressed their disgust with what was happening. Norbert Haug was surprised by Audi’s decision.
“I cannot understand the decision to take the cars out of the race, when we already have a 1-2-3 that we deserved.”

Afterwards penalties were handed out to Mika Häkkinen who was involced with an incident with Martin Tomczyk, and to Daniel La Rosa who crashed into Mattias Ekström. Penalties Haugs says will be appealed.
“The HWA team will appeal against the penalties imposed on Mika and Daniel; there are comparable situations, which have been judged in a different way,” he said.