Hockenheim/Germany, 14th October 2017 – In glorious sunshine, fans in Hockenheim witnessed a lightning start from pole-sitter Timo Glock (BMW), who not only held onto his lead, but also started to pull clear of the chasing pack. However, Jamie Green, who started the race from third on the grid, then started to pick up the pace and moved into the lead on lap seven. Even after the Audi driver had been in for a new set of the Hankook race tyre on lap 14 of the iconic circuit near Heidelberg, the Briton still held a clear lead. After 36 laps, Green came home 3.939 seconds ahead of the rest of the field to claim his 16th win in what is probably the most popular international touring car series.
Green was followed over the finish line in second place by fellow Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller, who produced a sensational fightback. The 33-year-old started the race from seventh place and only came in for his tyre change on lap 23. Now on fresh Hankook dry tyres, Rockenfeller cut through the field with a number of skilful overtaking manoeuvres. He then passed Timo Glock’s BMW on the final lap to take second place. This result means that Rockenfeller, who now trails Mattias Ekström by 20 points, still has a mathematical chance of winning his second DTM title.
Maxime Martin (BMW) ended the penultimate race of the DTM season in fourth place. The best-placed Mercedes-Benz driver was Edoardo Mortara in fifth. René Rast (Audi) came home sixth to score valuable points. Rast is third overall, and is still well placed in the title race – particularly as the two drivers ahead of him, Ekström and Green, were both handed grid penalties for Sunday’s final race, having received one warning too many. Championship leader Mattias Ekström finished outside the points in eleventh place.
Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “This eventful race was a fair reflection of the entire season. The DTM has rarely been more exciting and evenly-matched, and the spectators are witnessing motorsport as it should be: Hard-fought battles and overtaking manoeuvres right down to the final lap. Mike Rockenfeller showed that, with the right pit stop strategy, it is possible to come from the back of the grid and finish on the podium. He came in very late for his fresh set of Hankook race tyres, and the dry tyre supported this tactic perfectly in the final third of the race. We can look forward to an exciting DTM finale on Sunday, as the title race is still wide open.”
Jamie Green (Audi): “I am very happy with my win here in Hockenheim. This circuit just seems to suit me. I had hardly any tyre wear in these conditions, which were pretty warm for October. Even in my second stint, which was quite a long one, the Hankook race tyres were perfect.”
Mike Rockenfeller (Audi): “I was able to look after the Hankook tyres well in the race. There is obviously a drop, particularly here at the Hockenheimring, but that is intentional. In my case, it was only very slight and I came in very late for my tyre change. I was then able to work my way through the field on the fresh Hankook dry tyres. I have absolutely no cause for complaints, as far as the tyres were concerned.”
Timo Glock (BMW): “The Hankook tyres worked well on my car. However, I came in for my tyre change on lap eleven, while Rocky stayed out until lap 23. That is why he had far fresher tyres than me at the end, which meant I had no chance.”
