DTM 2007 ? Press Release No. 48
Second season win for Mika H?kkinen, Ekstr?m new points leader
Mugello. In summery conditions at the ?Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello?, Mika H?kkinen secured himself his second victory of the season with his AMG Mercedes C-Class. Having started from 15th place, the Finn came in for his two mandatory pit stops on laps seven and 13 and after that had the benefit of a safety-car-phase that became necessary on lap 14 after an accident of Alexandros Margaritis. Mattias Ekstr?m, who had started from first place, was just beaten with his Audi A4 DTM in the sixth season round. The Swede crossed the finish line in second place, 0.3 seconds behind H?kkinen. Ekstr?m?s second place allowed him to take over the lead in the championship standings. The final podium slot at Mugello was occupied by Paul di Resta, driving a 2005-spec AMG Mercedes C-Class. An extensive press release with quotes from the drivers and motorsport directors will follow shortly.
The race at a glance
Weather conditions: sunny
Air temperature: 39.8 ?C
Track temperature: 53.2 ?C
Start Ekstr?m takes the lead from Tomczyk, who has overtaken Kristensen and is now second. Spengler, Rockenfeller in the grass.
Lap 1 Scheider off the track, continues. Scheider and Luhr into the pits. Luhr continues, Scheider's car is being pushed into the pit box - he retires.
Lap 2 Ekstr?m is leading from Tomczyk, Kristensen, Spengler, Green, Pr?mat, Rockenfeller, Schneider, Di Resta and Winkelhock. Luhr into the pits, retires.
Lap 4 Jamie Green through the gravel trap at Arrabiata 2 after running over a curb, his car is stuck ? retirement.
Lap 5 Ickx in the gravel trap at Arrabiata 2.
Lap 6 On the previous lap, the three Audis in front lapped one second faster than fourth-placed Bruno Spengler. Schneider, Di Resta, Pr?mat, Rockenfeller, Winkelhock, La Rosa into the pits.
Lap 7 Drive-through penalty for Alexandre Pr?mat. Spengler, Paffett, Abt, H?kkinen, Lauda into the pits.
Lap 8 Margaritis, Stoddart into the pits, Pr?mat in for his drive-through.
Lap 9 Race leader Ekstr?m into the pits.
Lap 10 Abt and Rockenfeller are under investigation by the stewards - drive through penalty for Rockenfeller. Tomczyk comes in for his first mandatory stop.
Lap 11 Tom Kristensen comes into the pits. There are problems with the right front wheel of his Audi A4 DTM, he drops back to 16th. Di Resta has overtaken Schneider and is now sixth.
Lap 12 Drive-through for Christian Abt. Rockenfeller comes in for his penalty.
Lap 13 Margaritis off the track at Biondetti 1, in the gravel trap. H?kkinen into the pits.
Lap 14 The safety car is being deployed. Ekstr?m, Tomczyk, Spengler, Di Resta, Schneider,Paffett, La Rosa, Winkelhock, Rockenfeller, Pr?mat, Stoddart, Kristensen, Schneider, Lauda into the pits.
Lap 15 H?kkinen is now leading the race behind the safety car. Problems for Schneider during his pit stop as his car has to be jacked up twice, the tank can is stuck on Tomczyk?s car.
Lap 17 Racing resumes. H?kkinen is leading from Ekstr?m, Di Resta, Spengler, La Rosa, Rockenfeller, Winkelhock, Pr?mat, Kristensen. Tomczyk spins and hits Paffett, who in turn collides with Abt. Abt in the gravel trap. Tomczyk into the pits with flat left front.
Lap 21 Ekstr?m is 0.15 seconds per lap faster than H?kkinen, he is 0.4 seconds behind the Finn.
Lap 22 H?kkinen has now extended his lead to 0.6 seconds.
Lap 23 Lauda briefly in the dirt, continues.
Lap 24 Ekstr?m has closed up to within 0.3 seconds of H?kkinen after the car of the Finn started sliding.
Lap 27 Lauda out at Arrabiata ? retires.
Lap 29 H?kkinen is leading Ekstr?m by 0.5 seconds, another 1.1 seconds down is Di Resta in third place. Spengler is fourth, 4.9 seconds behind Di Resta.
Lap 33 Final lap. H?kkinen takes his second victory of the season from Ekstr?m, Di Resta, Spengler, La Rosa, Pr?mat, Rockenfeller, Kristensen, Winkelhock, Stoddart and Schneider.