Nürburgring/Germany, 11th September 2016 – Lucas Auer seemed assured of victory for most of the second DTM race at the Nürburgring on Sunday. The Mercedes-Benz driver and pole sitter led for a long time, ahead of championship leader Marco Wittmann (BMW), who had qualified in second place. Edoardo Mortara had started the race from sixth position and used a late pit stop on lap 28 to move up to second place, before taking the lead in his Audi RS5 DTM on lap 35 and crossing the line 3.726 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger.

BMW driver Marco Wittmann finished in third place and enjoys a 33-point lead over Edoardo Mortara in the overall standings. He now approaches the final four races of the world’s most popular touring car series as the title favourite. Mattias Ekström (Audi) claimed fourth place at the circuit in the Eifel region, just behind Wittmann and ahead of fellow Audi driver Nico Müller and Bruno Spengler (BMW). Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) and Jamie Green (Audi) finished outside the points and dropped back to third and fourth positions respectively in the Drivers’ Championship.

“It was a thrilling battle for the lead, as we expected, and Audi came out on top thanks to some clever tactics and a fast pit stop. Nothing is decided yet as there are still 100 points to be won in the battle for the championship, although Marco is clearly in the best position. The Hankook race tyre will continue to provide the drivers with perfect support in the last four races of the 2016 season, and ensure a thrilling finale,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe.

Audi Sport Team Rosberg recorded the fastest pit stop at the Nürburgring with a time of 28.036 seconds, which is rewarded with the Best Pit Stop Award from Hankook and 25 points in the overall standings. The victorious crew will also get three crates of beer at the next race weekend in Budapest. At the end of the season, the exclusive DTM tyre partner presents a sought-after challenge trophy to the best and fastest team.

Edoardo Mortara (Audi): “That is a great victory, and I dedicate it to my daughter. Our strategy was perfect, I was able to really push the Hankook race tyre during my second stint and then overtake Lucas. It is a shame that I dropped so many points earlier in the season, as that will make it difficult for me to catch Marco in the Drivers’ Championship. But I will do my best.”

Lucas Auer (Mercedes-Benz): “It was a great race, the Hankook race tyres worked well and I was able to build up a bit of a lead over the BMWs. Edo made a late pit stop towards the end and flew past me with his fresh tyres and a lighter car.”

Marco Wittmann (BMW): “The start was good but I wasn’t able to accelerate past Lucas. We were really strong early on but weren’t able to take the lead. We decided to go for an early pit stop and then had a very long second stint. When Mattias appeared behind me with fresh tyres, I had to use all the tricks at my disposal to keep him there. So I am really happy with third place.”

Mattias Ekström (Audi): I was able to drive on the Hankook slick for a very long time in the first stint and recorded consistently fast lap times. That was the key to finishing well, as I was able to change to fresh tyres very late on, and I nearly made it to the podium.”