| Like 2009: Paul Di Resta Wins From Pole Position | |
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| The start: For the second time this year, Paul Di Resta started from pole position. Bruno Spengler had qualified second, Ralf Schumacher fourth and Gary Paffett fifth. Paul accelerated into an immediate lead followed by Bruno; Gary improved to fourth whilst Ralf dropped to sixth after a coming-together with Mattias Ekström. Lap 2: Susie Stoddart wasn’t able to avoid Mattias Ekström after the Swedish driver had slowed down. Lap 4: Drive-through penalty for David Coulthard because of a jump-start. Lap 8: Susie Stoddart pitted with damage at the left front and retired. Lap 18: After his penalty, David Coulthard was 16th, but his lap times were as fast as the ones from the leaders. Lap 24: Gary Paffett (fourth) was the first to complete his first mandatory stop. Lap 29: First pit stop by Ralf Schumacher (third). Jamie Green (fourth) followed one lap later and Bruno Spengler (second) on lap 31. Lap 32: Ralf Schumacher had a short off into the gravel and retired in the pits due to steering failure. Lap 33: Paul Di Resta pitted from the lead. Lap 38: First pit stop by Maro Engel (third). David Coulthard (fourth) came in one lap later and CongFu Cheng (third) on lap 42. Lap 45: After the first round of pit stops, Paul Di Resta was back in the lead ahead of Bruno Spengler. Gary Paffett was fourth. Lap 58: Gary Paffett (fourth) completed his second mandatory stop. CongFu Cheng (ninth) and Bruno Spengler (second) followed on the next two laps. Lap 63: David Coulthard (ninth) pitted for the second time, followed by Maro Engel (fifth) one lap later. Lap 66: Jamie Green (fourth) completed his second routine halt whilst Paul Di Resta pitted from the lead on lap 67. Lap 75: With all drivers having completed their pit stops, Paul Di Resta was back in the lead ahead of Bruno Spengler; Gary Paffett was fifth. Finish (lap 98): Paul Di Resta won ahead of Bruno Spengler whilst Gary Paffett finished fifth.
Paul Di Resta (AMG Mercedes C-Class) winner: “It is really great to win here with my friends and family watching the race. I am really happy. I was able to control the race from the beginning and our team did a great job; thank you for that to everybody. We now found a good rhythm and this is how we want to continue in the upcoming races – let’s wait and see how the championship will end then.” Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class) second: “I am very satisfied. Brands Hatch doesn’t suit me, but we worked really hard throughout the weekend and our team gave me a perfect car. The C-Class ran very consistently and nobody made a mistake – thank you guys, that was great.“ Gary Paffett (Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class) fifth: “My start was the best part of my race. I was just not fast enough to challenge Timo Scheider in front of me and after my second pit stop, I dropped behind Miguel Molina. I hope for a better result next time.” Jamie Green (Junge Sterne AMG Mercedes C-Class) 10th: “It was a tough race. I had a chance to finish eighth and score a point; however, I lacked a little bit of speed to move up. My pace improved only after my second stop, but then it was already too late.” Maro Engel (GQ AMG Mercedes C-Class) 11th: “A good start would have been important on this track for a good result but I wasn’t able to achieve that. Afterwards, I got stuck in traffic and could not improve.” David Coulthard (Deutsche Post AMG Mercedes C-Class) 12th: “I don’t know exactly what happend – I wanted to start, but then the red lights didn’t go out and so I jumped the start. Hopefully, I didn’t ruin anybody’s race. It’s a shame because my laptimes today were good and without the drive-through penalty points would have been possible today.“ CongFu Cheng (stern AMG Mercedes C-Class) 13th: “I’m quite happy with my race. Of course, I still have to learn, but towards the end of the race I was able to do a few things I had been working on for long – so I’m improving step by step.” Ralf Schumacher (Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class) retired due to steering failure: “Right after the start it was very close between Mattias Ekström, Oliver Jarvis and me and our cars touched briefly. I lost two positions, but afterwards I drove a solid race. After my pit stop I had a short off into the gravel and then my steering didn’t work correctly, so I drove back to the pits.” Susie Stoddart (TV-Spielfilm AMG Mercedes C-Class), retired after a collision without own fault: “All of a sudden, Mattias Ekström slowed down right in front of me and I had no chance to avoid him. As a consequence of the impact my left front suspension broke – and that was it for me today.”
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “Throughout the weekend, Paul Di Resta was a class of his own – nobody had a chance against him – no matter, if with an Audi or Mercedes-Benz. Well done, Paul – nobody has won clearer this year. Congratulations to Paul and the HWA team headed by Gerhard Ungar. Bruno achieved a good second place and another eight points. Unfortunately, Ralf and Ekström tangled – this wasn’t on purpose, sorry. With fast laps David Coulthard showed a good performance; unfortunately, his jump-start prevented a good result. From the Audi drivers, Miguel Molina in a last year’s car was particularly impressive today – respect, a great performance.” | |
