Thread: DTM at Barcelona: Audi Pulls Out, Hakkinen Penalized

Audi pulled out all of their drivers when there was 9 laps left in the race. Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi manager said that Mercedes drivers were trying to hit the top-Audi drivers out of the track on purpose.

Mika H?kkinen (MB) got 20k euro fee for colliding Martin Tomczyk (Audi) on lap 7, causing himself to retire immedietaly and Martin few laps later. H?kkinen claimed it to be an accident but Martin didn't feel that way.

Mattias Ekstr?m (Audi) , the leader in championship points also retired after collision with Mercedes drivers.

woohoo, total mayhem

The race was a complete farce. The first DTM race I've watched this year and to be honest I'm not that interested in seeing any more.

It's so damn obvious that the mid fielders are there to take out / damage the rival manufacturer's championship contenders. There should be a difference between being difficult to pass and just ramming into the other drivers.

The H?kkinen move for example. There was only two possible outcomes:
1. H?kkinen manages to pull it off and gains the place (this was rather unlikely in my opinion).
2. H?kkinen crashes into the Audi and takes out the championship contender.

For H?kkinen, who's not fighting for the championship there's nothing much to lose. It's a win win.

Now, this is not just Mercedes. Spengler tried to pass the Audi of Luhr (or was it Rockenfeller?) and while they were side by side Luhr just turns into him to exchange some paint. Fortunately for Spengler the contact was rather light.

I've finally managed to find some clips on Youtube for you who missed this legendary event.

First off, H?kkinen takes out the Audi of Tomzyk (who was second in the championship).


Championship leader Ekstr?m gets on the inside of La Rosa and pushes him wide coming out of the turn . La Rosa puts his foot down on the gas, runs over the grass and rams Ekstr?m in the next corner. Thus ensuring that both championship contending Audis were gone.

Gotta love Ekstr?m's applauds to Norbert Haug and the Mercedes team when he passes them in the pits.


The remaining Audis retire.

What a farce this year's DTM was.