Overall, it was a great start to the 2011 DTM season for Audi. Although a win is always wanted, both drivers and cars showed strong results. The top four qualifiers would remain in the same spots, 38 laps later. Mercedes-Benz driver, Bruno Spengler went on to win the first race of 2011.
Audi’s Mattias Ekstrom would go on to a second place podium spot. At the start, Ekstrom would move into first by turn one but Spengler would come out of the exit back on top.
By lap eight, Spengler had 2.5 seconds on Mattias and from there would go on to win.
On the last lap Schumacher made a mistake that almost cost him and gave Timo Scheider a podium spot. Scheider closed up but was not able to overtake him.
Timo Scheider ends up fourth just 0.671 seconds behind Schumacher.
Rockenfeller’s race would end after a safety car snafu, finishing 11th.
Martin Tomczyk would finish in fifth and best of the 2008 spec Audi A4′s. Qualifying sixth, Tomczyk passed Engel coming out of the hairpin to take over fifth place.
After pitting on lap 25, the gas can was stuck to Tomczyk’s car on exit. Safety car out and that was it for excitement.
Rahel Frey finished in 15th place.
Drivers Classification:
1 – Spengler – 10
2 – Ekstrom – 8
3 – Schumacher – 6
4 – Scheider – 5
5 – Tomczyk – 4
6 – Paffett – 3
7 – Green – 2
8 – Engel – 1
Team Classification:
1 – THOMAS SABO / Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG – 13
2 – Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline – 8
3 – Salzgitter / AMG Mercedes – 8
4 – Audi Sport Team Abt – 5
5 – Audi Sport Team Phoenix – 4
6 – Deutsche Post / GQ AMG Mercedes – 1
