DTM 2012: Paffett Wins Brands Hatch
Ryan Joseph Ramos May 20, 2012
He came home looking for a victory in a course he knows well—and Gary Paffett delivered. The Mercedes driver took the win at Brands Hatch to secure his second victory in the first three races of the DTM 2012 season, extending his lead in the drivers’ standings and also helping Mercedes extend the team lead.
Over 27,000 people were in attendance over the three days of the DTM weekend, and Paffett would not disappoint the home crowd as he brought the win. This was his 19th win in 84 DTM races, giving him a win rate of 23 percent—the best clip among the current crop of drivers racing in the DTM. Incidentally, this was Paffett’s first DTM win here in Brands Hatch.
Paffett clocked in at 1:10:1.585, followed by Bruno Spengler of BMW for second place some five seconds later. Audi’s Mike Rockenfeller took the last podium spot. Mercedes’ other drivers couldn’t come close to Paffett’s performance, as Christian Vietoris ended up sixth after getting held back from the start to the early laps and Jamie Green could only manage eighth. Many of the drivers experienced difficulty when it came to overtaking at this particular track.
After three races, Paffett has 68 points. Spengler is second with 43, Audi’s Mattias Ekstrom third with 35, and Jamie Green close by with 34.
The next race is at Red Bull Ring on June 3.
