The 2009 DTM season finale featured several winners

By celebrating his second consecutive DTM title, Audi works driver Timo Scheider made history and secured an everlasting position in the record books of the sport. Meanwhile, the team title was won by Gary Paffett and Bruno Spengler for their squad, Team Salzgitter / Mercedes-Benz-Bank.

Furthermore, Paffett’s fourth win of the season was the sixth for the Stuttgart based premium manufacturer. Altogether, the finale held at the Hockenheimring Baden Württemberg proved to be another thrilling race. DTM.com took a close look at the performance of all the 20 DTM drivers to analyse and rate them.

Gary Paffett (7 / 2 / 10 / 1):

Gary couldn’t have done any better. He gave his very best and delivered in great style. In the early stages of the race, he prevailed in an enthralling battle with Ekström to quickly take the lead. From that point in time, he couldn’t do more than defend his lead and wait for incidents behind him that might help him to win the title.

But although he controlled the race and the pace, Scheider followed him like a shadow. So, Gary couldn’t make up the seven points he would have needed to beat Scheider in the battle for the title.
Grade 1

The old and new DTM Champion: Timo Scheider

Timo Scheider (3 / 3 / 1 / 2):

Again, Timo did a perfect job. Being seven points ahead represented a comfortable lead and therefore, the German residing in Austria could avoid taking any unnecessary risks. Third in the qualifying session and runner-up in the race: if you are delivering consistently and opt for the proper approach, winning the DTM title seems to be so easy. Congratulations!
Grade 1

Paul Di Resta (17 / 4 / 13 / 3):

From his fourth grid position, Paul focused on defending this position throughout the race. According to Paul, he just wasn’t able to close in on Scheider but the performance of the Scot looked somewhat conservative, nevertheless. So, it can be assumed that he drove a fair race, avoided becoming a factor in the battle for the title and settle for finishing third in both the season finale and the championship. An approach that deserves respect.
Grade 2

Alexandre Prémat (11 / 12 / 3 / 4):

A fantastic season finale for Alexandre – who succeeded in concluding his messed up season with a true highlight. From his 12th grid position, a great strategy helped the Frenchman working his way up to fourth. With this fine performance he did not only compensate for his poor qualifying result due to balance problems but also once again demonstrated his extraordinary fighting spirit.
Grade 2

Best 2008-spec car driver: Jamie GreenJamie Green (5 / 9 / 7 / 5):

With another fine performance in the season finale, Jamie deservedly secured the title as best 2008-spec car driver of the 2009 season. One race win and points in six of the ten rounds of the season underline the Briton’s competitiveness. At Hockenheim, however, he didn’t make full use of his potential. He worked his way up from ninth grid position to finish fifth – but couldn’t match the pace of his rivals from the Audi camp.
Grade 3

Oliver Jarvis (10 / 6 / 6 / 6):

In qualifying, warm-up and the race, Oliver finished sixth. Following numerous thrilling battles he was happy with his performance but had to admit that he failed – other than his team-mate PrĂ©mat or Mercedes-Benz driver Green – when it came to gaining positions. Nonetheless, a positive conclusion of a season the Briton had to cope with several setbacks, in.
Note 3

Bruno Spengler (14 / 15 / 11 / 7):

Bruno was hampered by a flue, during the season-finale weekend at Hockenheim. On the extremely competitive DTM grid, even such a small disadvantage can have major consequences as you must be absolutely focused both on your fast qualifying lap and over the race distance. In the qualifying session, his gamble failed to work and he therefore didn’t make it to Q2.

In the race, however, he displayed a lot of fighting spirit and worked his way up to fifth. Unfortunately, his stint following the second pit stop was too long and due to his decreasing tyre performance, he wasn’t able to fend off his pressurising rivals. In the end, the Canadian had to settle for finishing seventh and adding two points to his tally.
Grade 3

Markus Winkelhock (9 / 13 / 9 / 8):

Markus made a fantastic start and rocketed from his 13th grid position to sixth. Over the major part of the race he was able to match the pace of the front runners but during his final stint, his brake performance decreased and he was passed by several opponents. So, he dropped back to eighth and scored just one point.
Grade 3

Mike Rockenfeller (8 / 10 / 2 / 9):

Having finished 15th in Q1, Mike had believed his qualifying was over. But then, he was offered the chance of contesting Q2 as Lauda’s qualifying time was disallowed. So, he could improve to 10th grid position. On lap one, the young German’s race was nearly over: at first he was hit by a rival and then, in the hairpin, he had to go off the track to avoid hitting the spinning car of Tomczyk.

Afterwards he delivered and worked his way back up but his fighting spirit wasn’t rewarded. He finished ninth and had to leave Hockenheim empty-handed.
Grade 3

Maro Engel (4 / 8 / 13 / 10):

Having finished 10th, Maro was the first driver of the field who failed to improve or defend his position. He was happy with having qualified eighth but in the race, he was hit by several opponents and therefore, he had to settle for coming 10th.
Grade 4

source: DTM.com