Second season win for Mika Häkkinen, Ekström new
points leader
Mugello. In summery conditions at the “Autodromo Internazionale
del Mugello”, Mika Häkkinen 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
Ekström, 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
Häkkinen. Ekström’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 Ekström 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 Ekström is leading from Tomczyk, Kristensen, Spengler,
Green, Prémat, 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, Prémat, Rockenfeller, Winkelhock, La Rosa
into the pits.
Lap 7 Drive-through penalty for Alexandre Prémat. Spengler,
Paffett, Abt, Häkkinen, Lauda into the pits.
Lap 8 Margaritis, Stoddart into the pits, Prémat in
for his drive-through.
Lap 9 Race leader Ekström 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. Häkkinen into the pits.
Lap 14 The safety car is being deployed. Ekström, Tomczyk,
Spengler, Di Resta, Schneider,Paffett, La Rosa, Winkelhock,
Rockenfeller, Prémat, Stoddart, Kristensen, Schneider,
Lauda into the pits.
Lap 15 Häkkinen 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. Häkkinen is leading from Ekström,
Di Resta, Spengler, La Rosa, Rockenfeller, Winkelhock, Prémat,
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 Ekström is 0.15 seconds per lap faster than Häkkinen,
he is 0.4 seconds behind the Finn.
Lap 22 Häkkinen has now extended his lead to 0.6 seconds.
Lap 23 Lauda briefly in the dirt, continues.
Lap 24 Ekström has closed up to within 0.3 seconds of
Häkkinen after the car of the Finn started sliding.
Lap 27 Lauda out at Arrabiata – retires.
Lap 29 Häkkinen is leading Ekström 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. Häkkinen takes his second victory of
the season from Ekström, Di Resta, Spengler, La Rosa,
Prémat, Rockenfeller, Kristensen, Winkelhock, Stoddart
and Schneider.
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