DTM Round 2 Oschersleben *SPOILERS*

[Last2LiftOff]

Do we not want to start an Oschersleben thread?

A couple of test/practice sessions tomorrow and qualifying on Saturday as usual. Full event schedule here. Marco Werner standing in for Alexandre Premat this weekend and Frank Biela substituting for Tom Kristensen.

No doubt we'll see more from the 07 Mercedes' this weekend if for no other reason than the new weight distibution regs this season.

Originally Posted by dtm.com
This season, there are handicap weights for the new cars in case of a race win, but also for the 2005 and 2006 models if they achieve points positions. According to the new rule, the steps for more or less weight are seven kilograms instead of five. Consequently, the 2007 Audis (1,070 kilograms basis weight like the 2007 Mercedes-Benz) will start in Oschersleben with an extra weight of seven kilograms whilst the new AMG-Mercedes C-Class of Bernd Schneider, Bruno Spengler, Jamie Green and Mika Häkkinen will start with seven kilograms less. The 2005 and 2006 C-Class cars scored points in Hockenheim, therefore they have to add weight whilst the 2005 and 2006 Audis, which left Hockenheim without points, will reduce weight. Last year’s C-Class (1,060 kilograms basis weight) of Gary Paffett, Alexandros Margaritis, Daniel la Rosa and Mathias Lauda will race in Oschersleben with 1,067 kilograms (2006 Audis: 1,053); the 2005 C-Class (1,040 kilograms basis weight) of Paul di Resta and Susie Stoddart will start with 1,047 kilograms (2005 Audis: 1,033).

[Last2LiftOff]

Mattias Ekström again fastest out of the blocks today. First test results here. It's early but, a good start to the weekend by Luhr as well. Audi seems to have definitely made the bigger step-up over last year to me. But, again, it's early. Second test session in about an hour's time.

[Hazard]

Well, clearly Biela being yanked out of that Lamborghini for this was worthwhile

[Jimmy Magnusson]

I bet he is having a ball battlig with Ickx too Werner seems to put in a respectable and solid job so far, contrary to what I expected. But why they put Biela in the car instead of McNish is beyond me...

Edit: And harr harr, di Resta fastest in free practice right now!

[Last2LiftOff]

Well, we don't have Biela to pick on anymore, he's done for the day.....

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Qualifying is on now. This is how the grid will look from 15th to 20th:

15th: Daniel la Rosa (C-Klasse 2006)
16th: Lucas Luhr (A4 2006)
17th: Marco Werner (A4 2007)
18th: Frank Biela (A4 2007)
19th: Susie Stoddart (C-Klasse (2005)
20th: Vanina Ickx (A4 2005)

Two Merc's (one 05 model and one 06 one) and four Audis (one 05, one 06 and a spectacular prefromance from Biela and Werner to put their 07 cars in the 9th row).

[Jimmy Magnusson]

I think Schneider may be done for the day too...

Edit: Yep.

9th: Abt (A4 2006)
10th: Schneider (C-Klasse 2007)
11th: Di Resta (C-Klasse 2005)
12th: Lauda (C-Klasse 2006)
13th: Margaritis (C-Klasse 2006)
14th: Carroll (A4 2005)

[Last2LiftOff]

And Green just in....what's with Mercedes this year? Really struggling to get those things set-up right. I don't get it.

[Last2LiftOff]

Pretty good day from Rockenfeller though.

[Jimmy Magnusson]

I just remembered that Werner is in a 2006 car, which makes his performance a little easier to forgive. Still not that good though, and Biela...

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Häkkinen on pole!

1st: Mika Häkkinen (C-Klasse 2007)
2nd: Rockenfeller (A4 2006)
3rd: Spengler (C-Klasse 2007)
4th: Ekström (A4 2007)
5th: Green (C-Klasse 2007)
6th: Scheider (A4 2007)
7th: Tomczyk (A4 2007)
8th: Paffet (C-Klasse 2007)

So the Merc's take full advantage of their weight reduction then

[Last2LiftOff]

Rockenfeller almost had that. Good for him.

Paffett's in an 06 I think Jim.

[Bramzel]

Yes! Go Rockenfeller!

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by Last2LiftOff

Rockenfeller almost had that. Good for him.

Paffett's in an 06 I think Jim.

I know, I just managed to write something else.

[Last2LiftOff]

10-4 Jimmy. What happened to Schneider there? Didn't he have the fastest lap in Q1? Have to wait for the interviews I reckon; in English anyway.

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Yes! Go Rockenfeller!

He sure did Bramzel - quick all day.

[Charlies]

Good to see a mix at the top, and great for Carroll to get into Q2. Apparently there's concern about the new first corner for the race.

[vorsprung]

Originally Posted by Charlies

Apparently there's concern about the new first corner for the race.

It's really tight. I'd put money on flying carbon fiber.

[Last2LiftOff]

With live timing server errors every 5 mintues no idea what was going on. As usual, have to wait on the video highlights at dtm.com. Gary Paffett fans unite though....

Mechanical problems for Spengler and Häkkinen?

[flor]

One of Häkkinens rear tyres gave up in the second last lap.

[vorsprung]

Well they got cleanly through first corner.

Paffet had mechanical problems. Häkkinen was holding third in front of Rocky, but ran wide in second corner and tried to close the door when Rocky was already on the side. Rocky lost parts of rear fender but Mika had a puncture and ended up last.
Ekström passed Margaritis on the same corner in the last lap.

[Last2LiftOff]

Oh, thank you Flor*. From where I was watching the whole thing seemed like a very strange day but again, will have to wait for the video replays. Nary an 07 on the podium.

Edit: *and Vorsprung.

[Daisy]

It was a weird race. The tactics were the most interesting part. Paffett made a very early first stop and that definately helped him a lot. Also a good race from Di Resta and Rockenfeller, no 07 car on the podium. Bernd Schneider the only 07 Mercedes in the points, and that after his missed the start and entered the first corner in last position. Also well done by Ekstrom for finishing 7th after a drive through for a jump start.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Daisy

Also well done by Ekstrom for finishing 7th after a drive through for a jump start.

Apparently this cost him 24 sec. Without this drive through he could have won

[Charlies]

Paffett drove brilliantly; you could visibly see how hard he was pushing. First victory in a year-old car and well deserved. Another good drive for di Resta. Green's punt on Ickx was blatant and rightly punished. You can argue she shouldn't be out there but she didn't deserve that.

Carroll just outside the points, a little closer on the last lap and he could have followed Ekstrom past Margaritis.

Will someone tell Motors TV they seem to be slightly out of sync with the picture, and Carlton Kirby that he doesn't have to talk constantly. And more of Gareth Rees please.