Rene Rast says he's 'proud' of himself and Audi after coming to within just four points of successfully defending his 2017 DTM crown following a sensational second half of the season.
Paul di Resta's 2018 championship campaign ended in disappointment after the Mercedes driver missed out on the DTM title by 22-points to his team mate Gary Paffett at the Hockenheimring.
Newly-crowned two-time DTM champion Gary Paffett has described winning the 2018 drivers' title, 13-years after his previous championship winning success, as 'the best day of his life'.
Gary Paffett has secured the 2018 DTM drivers' title for Mercedes after finishing the final race of the season on the podium in third behind race winner Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann at the Hockenheimring.
1. Rene Rast GER Audi Sport Team Rosberg 37 laps 2. Marco Wittmann GER BMW Team RMG +3.786s 3. Gary Paffett GBR Mercedes-AMG Motorsport PETRONAS +15.838s
Reigning champion Rene Rast made a further mark in DTM history after claiming a record-breaking fifth straight win in the series to set up a three way title fight ahead of tomorrow's last race of the season at Hockenheim.
DTM title contender Paul di Resta remains defiant despite losing the championship lead to his Mercedes team mate Gary Paffett, following a difficult opening race at Hockenheim.
Mercedes driver Gary Paffett has admitted his 'disappointment' in gaining a fourth place result during the opening race, despite regaining the DTM championship lead at the Hockenheimring.
Reigning champion Rene Rast took a hard fought fifth win in a row to keep his DTM title hopes very much alive after leading an Audi 1-2 result in race one at the Hockenheimring.
Mercedes driver Lucas Auer will start the penultimate race of the 2018 season from pole position ahead of Gary Paffett, who crucially out-qualified his main DTM title rivals at the Hockenheimring.
1. Timo Glock GER BMW Team RMR 37 laps 2. Mike Rockenfeller GER Audi Sport Team Phoenix +2.078s 3. Gary Paffett GBR Mercedes-AMG Motorsport PETRONAS +3.099s
Gary Paffett has kicked off Mercedes' final year in the DTM in euphoric fashion after claiming pole position for the Hockenheim season opener ahead of BMW's Marco Wittmann.
Jenzer Motorsport's Patric Niederhauser won Race 1 at the Hockenheimring despite starting from the third row of the grid, while in Race 2 it was Mitch Evans in the MW Arden who won from pole.