René Rast claims second DTM title at the Nürburgring for Audi.
Race 1
Rast retained his lead into Turn 1 holding the place to the finish, thus taking his third consecutive victory at the historical German circuit.
Bruno Spengler’s RMG BMW came home second, ahead of team-mate Marco Wittmann, who performed a brilliant drive from eleventh on the grid.
Mueller’s Hopes Fade
Mueller who received a drive-through penalty for jumping the start, opted take his penalty on lap 3, demoting the German to last place.
This subsequently allowed Rast to extend his lead before pitting on lap 16.
Mike Rockenfeller’s race came to an end as the Audi Team Phoenix driver was forced to retire the car after fluid was seen leaking from his car.
Double BMW Podium
His misfortune promoted Bruno Spengler into second place.
Spengler in-turn was able to cut deep into Rast’s lead while attempting to pull away from his fellow BMW of Marcus Wittmann.
Unfortunately for Wittmann he was unable to sustain his challenge after the German used up all of his ‘DRS’ & ‘Push To Pass’ earlier in the race.
Aberdein was the first of the non podium finishers, taking his Audi home in fourth, ahead Duval and Green who crossed the line in fifth & sixth respectively.
Sheldon Van Der Linde claimed seventh in his RBM BMW ahead of team-mate Eriksson in eight.
Timo Glock brought his BMW across the line in ninth place ahead of Robin Frijns who rounded out the top ten.
Frijns Phenomanal Pass
Although he only took the final point, Frijns performed a stunning move into the first hairpin.
The Dutchman sent it up the inside of Di Resta and Mueller into Turn 1 in what was a phenomenal overtake.
Three-wide into the hairpin? We'll take that… ✅#DTMNurburgring pic.twitter.com/nXuXR8ToD8
— DTM (@DTM) September 14, 2019
Dani Juncadella in the Aston Martin narrowly missed out on points in eleventh.
As the R-Motorsport driver was overcome by Frijns’ pace and tyre advantage in the final stages of the race.
The other Aston Martin of Jake Dennis didn’t see the flag. As a result of some engine issues.
Race 2
Starting from second place, Rast catapulted into the lead off the start.
Rast jumps pole-sitter Green as the whole field gets away cleanly… #DTMNurburgring pic.twitter.com/14Gk9kUObr
— DTM (@DTM) September 15, 2019
However it didn’t last long as the soon to be champion was overtaken by Jamie Green during the pit stops.
The Flying Dutchman
Robin Frijns made late pit stop, carving his way through the pack, passing Mueller and Duval in the process.
The Dutchman eventually passed René Rast to take second place.
This brought the points difference between Rast and Müller to just five points, which would not be enough for Rast to secure the title.
Fortunately or Rast, rookie Jonathan Aberdein pulled off a spectacular overtake on Mueller.
Subsequently upping the gap between Müller and Rast to seven points. Securing Rast his second title.
Green Ends Victory Drought
Jamie Green held on to take victory, ahead off a charging Robin Frijns and René Rast.
A victory which gave the Briton his first DTM win in two years.
“I’m almost in shock that I actually did win the race,” says @JamieGreen_ after his fisrt @DTM victory in two years.
>> https://t.co/RoNVUsOMgK#OwnEverySecond #DTM #DTMNurburgring #ranDTM pic.twitter.com/BzAUMRk6Yp
— Audi Sport (@audisport) September 15, 2019
Loic Duval finished fourth, ahead of Aberdein in fifth.
Müller and Rockenfeller, finishing in sixth, seventh respectively.
Just ahead of Phillip Eng who took the flag in eight place in his BMW.
The BMW’s of Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler, completing the points finishers.
Mid-Field Contact
Glock’s storming recovery drive was kickstarted after the former Formula One pilot was spun round by fellow BMW driver Van Der Linde into Turn 1.
Sheldon van der Linde earned a drive-through penalty for this punt to Timo Glock's rear at the first corner…#DTMNurburgring pic.twitter.com/1fMcyW3Bz6
— DTM (@DTM) September 15, 2019
Van Der Linde was hit with a drive through penalty for the incident, and finished in last place.
