Photo: DTM Media

Gary Paffett takes Zandvoort victory

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Gary Paffett converted his second place grid position into a fine victory at Zandvoort. The Salzgitter AMG Mercedes driver became the first driver to claim two victories in the 2009 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season, despite a brilliant charge from Mattias Ekström, which had the race been a few laps longer, could have meant a very different result.

Paffett had started behind fellow Brit Oliver Jarvis on the grid, and gained the lead after Jarvis ran off track.

Meanwhile Ekström had started way back in 9th was on a charge. The determined Swede made light work of moving his way through the field, including some help from fellow Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Martin Tomczyk, who allowed Ekström through with no resistance.

Ekström made it into second with four laps remaining and began to close in on Paffett, but just ran out of time to put in a challenge for the lead. Jarvis had to settle for third in his year-old Audi A4.

Timo Scheider couldn’t match the progress of Ekström, he claimed eighth after starting eleventh on the grid.

As a result of the victory Paffett has taken the lead in the Championship standings heading into the next round at Oschersleben in August.

Paffett is on 24 points compared to the 22 of Ekström, with Spengler and Scheider tied in 18.