Back to Germany and its a DTM classic; the Nürburgring hosts Round 8 of the 2007 DTM series. This will be lucky #13 race for the new DTM at the Eifel track, and Mercedes leads all makes with 6 victories (4 for Audi and 2 for Opel). Mattias Ekström, the series point leader won here in 2005 and two of his rivals, Bernd Schneider (both races in 2000) and Bruno Spengler (2006) have also tasted victory. Another former winner will be on the grid, Mercedes driver Gary Paffett (2004). For a complete list of winners at the Nürburgring, click here.
The championship won't be decided this weekend, but the Mercedes boys could be eliminated by the Audis of Ekström and Martin Tomczyk. The 2004 champ, Ekström leads his younger team mate by 8 points following a 3rd place finish in Zandvoort. The young German was on top of the podium with a victory to vault into second place. If Ekström can extend his lead to 21 points over Bruno Spengler and Bernd Schneider, it will clinch the 3rd Driver's Championship for Audi.
However, Spengler, the defending race winner, could also get back in the mix with a win and a bad result for the Audis. Just 12 points back, the Canadian could pull real close with a maximum result. Defenind Champ Schneider is just a half point behind his teammate in fourth, so the Original Teile/DC Bank team is not giving up yet. However, the 4-time Champion needs to bounce back from back to back zeros if he wants any chance at title #5.
Alexandre Prémat and Timo Scheider were the feel good stories of Round 7, finishing 2nd and 4th respectively as Audi shut Mercedes out of the top 4 slots. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline extended their lead in the Teams Chase to 16.5 points with the double podium finish. Click here for the full 2007 points standings.
Will Mercedes keep their championship hopes alive, or can Mattias Ekström strengthen his grip on a second DTM title? Keep up with all the action at www.dtm.de.
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