Guten Tag, Donington!Where do broken hearts go? Where have all the flowers gone? Who knows? But I can answer where do ex-formula drivers go having found a little nest of them this weekend at Donington Park at the return of German Touring cars to British shores after seven years. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a welcome returnee to the Donington calendar, having produced some spectacular racing in the past with former F1 drivers such as Alessandro Nannini and Nicola Larini behind the wheel. This weekend saw past F1 drivers Bernd Schneider and Karl Wendlinger racing but all eyes were on one certain, Jean Alesi though not to detract from some formidable tin-top talent in the likes of Laurent Aiello, Alain Menu and Jo Winkelhock. Against the weatherman's prediction, Donington was blessed with a touch of summer, much appreciated by the healthy though not vast crowd including many guests from Mercedes-Benz brothers in Formula One. A crowded pit-lane walkabout offered spectators the chance to get up close and personal with the stars and cars, as well as some much appreciated encouragement for the sole British entrant, Peter Dumbreck. The DTM series provides some scintillating racing between the 4-litre V8 cars, with Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Opel vying for the top spot. What I particularly liked were the changes made to the running of race day for 2002 including the F1 style standing start as opposed to the rolling starts of previous seasons. Saturday sees a 45 minute qualifying session with a maximum of 12 laps, but race day is more than a one shot wonder now with a qualifying race over approx. 35km, 8 laps at toady's Donington circuit. This is short, sharp and frantic racing with points award to the first three (3-2-1), the finishing order of this race appoints the grid for the main race. The main race is held over approx. 100km, 25 laps at Donington today, which must include one pit-stop for all. Points for the main race are awarded as in F1 for first to sixth (10-6-4-3-2-1). And if you were thinking there'll be plenty of time between the qualifying and main race think again - there's just 25 minutes preparation. This makes for an interesting dilemma for teams and drivers regarding strategy and set-up for two such different type of races and I found this was highly evident in the racing produced today.
Qualifying Race: Having stalled on the grid, Jo Winkelhock's car was hit heavily from behind by Uwe Alzen who had nowhere to go. Thankfully, both drivers were unscathed but the same cannot be said for their cars. The safety car stayed out until lap 5 as the marshals worked at top speed to clear the aftermath on the pit straight. When the green flag was given 20 year old Martin Tomcyzk (**name for the future alert**) passed leader Alesi at Craner Curves but not for long as Alesi, who showed great maturity all day, nipped back in front, racing on to win the quickfire race.
Qualifying Race Result
Main Race With Tomcyzk now at the back of the field, Alesi saw another threat removed when second placed Fässler was brought in for a stop and go penatly for jumping the start. As Alesi and Schneider sped out infront behind them Opel driver Yves Oliver either had a collision or felt the air conditioning needed some help, as he raced round with the driver's door missing - 'come in your time us up', Mr. O was given the black flag. Laps 8 & 9 saw a flurry of flawless pit stops for the majority of drivers including the front runners who resumed nose to tail racing on lap 10. Once again the stop & go penalties worked in Alesi's favour as rival Schneider was ushered in for speeding in the pitlane leaving it up to Alain Menu to chase Alesi's tail. Any hope of Schneider clawing his way back to join the race was scuppered when he was called in for another stop & go penalty having broken the pitlane speed limit on his last stop & go penalty for, mmm, pit lane speeding; some people never learn. Whilst Menu kept Alesi firmly in his sights, the race for the lower places hotted up with a cloud of blue smoke marking where Wendlinger had spun into the gravel trap after touching Christijan Albers, but the Austrian kept the engine ticking and was soon back onto the track. By lap 22 Alain Menu remained a safe distance from Alesi who was running an extremely smooth and confident race with all threat removed when, cruelly, Menu started to slow suffering from a puncture forcing an emergency pit stop. Jean Alesi took the chequered flag a healthy 12.5 seconds from second place Christian Abts and third place Mattias Ekström, a popular victor with the crowd. Receiving his winner's trophy from Donington owner Tom Wheatcroft, Alesi proved the spirit is still burning bright and for those who are mourning his loss from Formula One all I can say is fear not, just make room in your diary for a DTM race and I'd doubt you'll be disappointed.
Main Race Result
© Rebecca Hobbs (c)RH PR 2007
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