Kristensen wins first race of the year

There was no loss in motivation for Tom Kristensen despite the fact that he announced his retirement from the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters ahead of the premiere race at Hockenheim. The Dane crossed the finish line to win the first race of the year. But the win was thanks to the puncture of pole man Mattias Ekström who held the lead until three laps from the finish.

Reigning champion Timo Scheider closed in on Kristensen in the closing stages of the race, finishing only three tenths behind him.

Third placed man was Oliver Jarvis in his 2008 specification Audi A4, securing a dominating first race of the year for Audi.

Best Mercedes driver was Paul Di Resta in fifth, right behind Markus Winkelhock in the Audi Sport Team Rosberg A4.

While the majority of the race was rather calm, the first lap saw some action.

Martin Tomczyk stalled his car on the grid and dropped to 17th. In the commotion of the first lap Alexandre Prémat and Gary Paffett came together.

Paffett pushed Prémat around in the hairpin. The both collide again a little bit later, causing Paffett’s bonnet to fly off his car, straight in to the front window of Ralf Schumacher.

Paffett and Prémat had to retire while Schumacher was able to continue after a pit stop.

Maro Engel finished sixth when the finish flag came out ahead of Ekström who dropped from the lead due to his late pit stop.

Jamie Green finished eight ahead of Schumacher and Mathias Lauda rounded off top ten.