Shaeffler Group Supports the Audi DTM Team 2007

77,500 spectators (throughout the weekend) witnessed one of the most turbulent races in DTM history at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz. Even

a few hours after the podium ceremony, the course of events continued to be the subject of heated debates, and the race result will always provide a subject for discussions. As the best Audi driver, Timo Scheider was classified fifth.

Total confusion was created by a safety car period caused by Mercedes driver Mathias Lauda when Lauda pushed the Audi driven by Markus Winkelhock against the barrier in turn 3. After the incident, the safety car did not move in the position ahead of the front runner, and the light at the pit lane exit was not working properly, causing several drivers to gain a lap. An attempt by race control to correct the picture by deploying the safety car a second time caused additional confusion among the spectators. At 5:15p.m. – about two hours after race end – the stewards declared that the result was official, despite admitting that they had made mistakes. In the interest of sport, Audi decided not to lodge a protest against the race being counted in the Championship.

The safety car also deprived the previous leader of the standings, Mattias Ekström, of a good result: Due to a communication problem the Swede turned into the pit lane before it was opened. While running in fourth position, the Swede had to make an additional stop shortly before race end, which caused him to drop out of the points. Having achieved the fastest lap in the race was only small consolation – but evidence of how strong the latest-generation A4 DTM is even with additional weight on board.

Similar lap times as Ekström over long phases of the race were set by his team-mates Timo Scheider and Martin Tomzyk. Adam Carroll was bumped by Mercedes driver Jamie Green and thus deprived of a better result.

Mike Rockenfeller and Lucas Luhr fought a duel over the entire race distance, but lost a lap on account of the safety car periods. Vanina Ickx finished the race in 15th place.

Christian Abt had to park his Audi A4 DTM shortly before the race ended, after touching the barrier in turn 3. His team-mate Alexandre Prémat pushed forwards from sixth to fifth place right after the start but, following a spectacular collision with Oschersleben winner Gary Paffett at the end of the start-finish straight, was forced to retire from the race as well after 23 laps.

After the turbulent race at the EuroSpeedway, Audi drivers Mattias Ekström and Martin Tomczyk share second place in the DTM standings, with an equal points score.

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