Perfect strategy: Maiden DTM victory for Ayhancan Güven

Fast on the track, perfect in the pits: Ayhancan Güven (TR) claimed his first victory after an impressive display, both tactically and behind the wheel. In doing so, he became the first driver from Turkey to win a DTM race. The Porsche driver from the Manthey EMA team started Sunday's race in Oschersleben from fourth on the grid. A perfectly timed first tyre change allowed Güven to move to the front of the field, and he went on to take the chequered flag with a lead of 2.6 seconds.

"Ever since my first DTM race, this moment has been my main goal. Last year was rather disappointing for me, so it feels great to start the new season with a win. My father was stood right next to the podium and was the first to congratulate me. He is my mentor and played a big part in this success," said the delighted Turk.

Jules Gounon (F) from Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter ended the race two of the season in second place. Thomas Preining (A) was third in the second Manthey EMA 911. A total of 47,000 visitors watched the spectacular DTM opener in glorious sunshine in the Magdeburg Börde.

The start of the second DTM race saw pole-sitter Gounon defend his lead ahead of Jordan Pepper (ZA) from TGI Team Lamborghini by GRT. Güven climbed one position into third. However, the first mandatory pit stop shook things up somewhat. While their rivals came in early to switch to the Pirelli slicks, Güven and BMW driver René Rast (Bregenz), who had started from 15th for Schubert Motorsport, delayed their pit stops by two laps. That strategy paid dividends: Güven and Rast returned to the track in first and second place. They were followed by the previous leading duo of Gounon and Pepper, with Preining lurking in fifth place.

The new race format means the DTM stars must complete a second mandatory pit stop in each Sunday race this season. Güven did so flawlessly and stayed out in front, while Gounon climbed into second. Porsche works driver Preining pulled off some impressive overtaking manoeuvres to move up to third, followed by Pepper and Rast. The top five went on to take the chequered flag in the same order after 40 laps of racing.

Marco Wittmann (Fürth) made up seven places and followed his team-mate Rast home in sixth. Luca Engstler (Kempen) ended Sunday's race in seventh place in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. Ben Dörr (Butzbach) claimed the best result of his fledgling DTM career, finishing eighth for Dörr Motorsport in a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. Reigning champion Mirko Bortolotti (I) from Abt Sportsline came home ninth. Saturday’s winner Luca Auer (A) had to settle for tenth place in a Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Jules Gounon: "I really wanted to win. However, unlike in qualifying, I just did not have the pace in the race. We will work on that together for the coming races. On the whole, the weekend was really good, with second and fifth place."

Thomas Preining: "After a difficult qualifying, a double podium is a super result for us. I had many tough battles on the track. My car is definitely missing a few bits, but that kind of racing is what the DTM is all about."

Results are HERE