Five Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM in Top 8: Robert Wickens (SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) achieves a points-scoring finish with P8

Nürburgring, Germany – Mercedes-AMG driver Pascal Wehrlein (gooix Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) placed third in the first race at the Nürburgring to finish on the podium and extend his lead in the DTM drivers' standings. He is currently on 155 points, 27 points up on Edoardo Mortara (Audi) and 26 points in front of Mattias Ekström (Audi).

Gary Paffett (EURONICS Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) moved up ten places from 14th on the grid to finish fourth. Maximilian Götz (Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) in P5 achieved his best result so far in his DTM rookie season. Austrian driver Lucas Auer (BWT Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) started the race from pole position for the first time in his DTM career. He crossed the finish line in sixth place after an exciting race. Robert Wickens (SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) in P8 completed a strong set of results for the Mercedes-AMG DTM Team. Five Mercedes-AMG DTM drivers in all came home in the Top Eight.

Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM), Christian Vietoris (Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) and Daniel Juncadella (PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) finished twelfth, 15th and 17th respectively. The race was red-flagged after a crash at the start, following several contacts in the field immediately afterwards, and was restarted for 30 minutes behind the safety car.

Looking ahead to race 2: Looking ahead to Race 2: Qualifying for the second race at the Nürburgring gets under way on Sunday at 10:50 CEST (live on www.sportschau.de). The second race starts at 13:35 CEST (live on ARD from 13:20 CEST onwards). The DTM Race Hub at: www.mercedes.me/racehubdtm has a number of interesting features, including fan radio, live-timing data and live commentaries for all practice sessions, qualifying and the races.  

Comments after the Race:

Pascal Wehrlein (20, Germany):
P3
Car number: 94
Team: gooix/Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-AMG DTM Team HWA)
Car: gooix Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM

"I'm pleased to have secured this third-place finish. However, I'm not satisfied with the way the race went. If you're going into the first corner in P1 and you get hit from the side out of the blue, it's not ideal. But I've now seen a replay of the incident. Maxime made a fair move - there was a gap and he used it. Anyway, I've scored vital points and also made another podium appearance. From that perspective, the result is OK."  

Robert Wickens (26, Canada):
P8
Car number: 6
Team: SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-AMG DTM Team HWA)
Car: SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM

"That was a crazy race. I'm happy to finally score points again after such a long time. I think a lot more would have been possible today. I started from 13th and immediately moved up into the points. Unfortunately, I sustained a lot of damage trying to get through. I think that cost me more points in the end."  

Ulrich Fritz, Head of Mercedes-AMG DTM:

"That was certainly one of the most spectacular races we have seen this season, with plenty of robust but mainly fair overtaking manoeuvres. Unfortunately, the start didn't go optimally for us, but the performance by our guys during the race was first class. With five Mercedes-Benz drivers in the Top Eight, we can certainly talk in terms of a good result. What's more, Pascal has managed to defend his lead in the drivers' championship, while we have scored important points in the manufacturers' championship."  

Canadians In BOLD