After experiencing the sunny climes of Valencia in round two, the DTM championship returns to Germany this weekend, we profile the drivers to watch at the EuroSpeedway, Lausitz...
Mattias Ekström (Sweden) – Audi
Ekström heads back to Germany full of confidence after securing his first victory for more than a year in Valencia, Spain – his 14th in DTM. The Swede was winless in 2009, but after a disappointing start to the season in Hockenheim that result has kick-started his title challenge. Ekström enjoys racing at the EuroSpeedway having finished on the podium seven times there, and is now second in the championship, just a place and three points behind leader Bruno Spengler.
Martin Tomczyk (Germany) – Audi
Tomczyk has endured a trying start to the new season. First, he was forced to retire while leading the season-opener in Hockenheim, and last time out in Valencia he was disqualified for using unregistered tyres during the race. That ruling denied the German second-place and means he is yet to pick up a single championship point so far. He will want to put that right this weekend.
David Coulthard (Great Britain) – Mercedes
His knowledge of the Valencia track couldn’t help him last time out as he was forced to retire due to gearbox trouble after 38 laps in Spain. Coulthard takes a step into the unknown this weekend as he has never raced at the EuroSpeedway. He likes what he hears though, and again is aiming to be closer to the front runners after qualifying.
Timo Scheider (Germany) – Audi
Scheider has not enjoyed the start to his title defence that he would have liked and currently has just seven points to show from two races. However, despite qualifying down in 10th for the race in Valencia the German did show the fighting spirit that won him that title as he battled his way up to fifth, which eventually became fourth as Tomczyk was disqualified. Scheider will fly to France immediately after the race as he gets ready to compete in the Le Mans 24 hour.
Bruno Spengler (Canada) – Mercedes
One man to benefit more than most from Tomczyk’s disqualification in Valencia was Spengler. The two-time DTM runner-up moved up from third to second and opening up a three point gap at the top of the championship. However, the Canadian is still looking for his first win of the season.
Gary Paffett (Great Britain) – Mercedes
Paffet was unable to capitalise on his winning start to the season last time out in Valencia. After starting fourth on the grid the British driver endured a bad start and slipped back to eighth where he would stay for the rest of the race. The win in Hockenheim keeps him third in the championship, a point behind Ekström. Paffet has pedigree on the EuroSpeedway track having won there last year.
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