Robert Wickens “thrilled to bits” with delayed maiden win

Mercedes’ Robert Wickens says he is “thrilled to bits” to take his maiden DTM career victory, despite having to wait for more than five hours for the result to be confirmed.

The HWA team driver was visibly disappointed to finish second, 2.6 seconds behind original winner, Audi’s Mattias Ekström, after he took his first DTM pole on Saturday at the Norisring.

However, following Ekström’s exclusion from the results on Saturday night after the Swede was found to have water bottles in his overalls after the race, the 24-year-old Canadian was promoted to top spot, ahead of Mercedes stablemates, Christian Vietoris, DTM rookie, Daniel Juncadella.

“My first DTM victory, even though I’ve had to wait to get the result confirmed, I am, of course, thrilled to bits,” said Wickens on Sunday night. “I started from pole, was in 14th place for a time and ultimately won the race – it was a tough race, but I overtook a few cars and enjoyed the feeling.

“Congratulations to our team: Four drivers in the points is a good team result.”

Wickens’ HWA team-mate Vietoris was also happy with his third podium of the season after a difficult qualifying which saw him line up 10th.

He then drove an equally tough race due to a non-functioning water bottle for the 83-lap distance, but feels he made progress due to the HWA team’s strategy, and the Mercedes’ C-Coupe’s improved pace.

“Although I was unable to extract the full potential from my car in qualifying, our strategy in today’s race paid off,” said Vietoris. “I’d like to thank my team for doing such a fantastic job. They sent me back out on the option tyres, which gave me excellent pace.

“It meant I was able to battle my way up to the front towards the end when a lot of the other drivers were developing problems with their brakes and tyres.

“Although my water bottle wasn’t working, I didn’t experience any physical problems over the 83 laps.

“The high temperatures didn’t cause me any difficulties during the race.”

Vietoris and Wickens now lie third and fourth in the championship with 58 and 52 points respectively.