Rast’s Sixth Consecutive Win Overshadowed as Paffett Clinches 2018 DTM Title for Mercedes at Hockenheimring

Rast clinches his sixth consecutive victory while Paffett claims the championship title

Gary Paffett has won the 2018 DTM drivers' championship for Mercedes by finishing third in the season's final race at the Hockenheimring, trailing behind race victor Rene Rast and second-place Marco Wittmann.

Paffett entered the decisive championship event holding a seven-point advantage over his Mercedes teammate Paul di Resta, and a 14-point lead over the reigning champion Rast.

Gary Paffett clinched the 2018 DTM drivers' championship for Mercedes by securing a third-place finish in the season's last race at the Hockenheimring, following Rene Rast, who took first place, and Marco Wittmann, who finished second.

Paffett entered the final race with a seven-point advantage in the championship standings over his Mercedes teammate Paul di Resta, and held a 14-point lead over the reigning champion Rast.

Starting the second race from eleventh place, Di Resta found himself out of contention for the title, which turned into a direct battle between Paffett's Mercedes and Rast's Audi.

After securing a record-setting fifth straight win in yesterday's race, Rast immediately seized the lead from Wittmann, who started in pole position, and expertly managed the race from that point onward.

In the initial laps, Rast faced some pressure from Wittmann but managed to distance himself from the BMW driver before the pit-stop phase. Meanwhile, Paffett appeared at ease, maintaining a close third position and observing the situation.

In fact, Rast managed to stay in front during the pit stops, while Paffett temporarily overtook Wittmann, who chose to extend his stint on the initial set of tires.

On lap 22, Wittmann reclaimed his spot in front of Paffett, who appeared satisfied to secure third place and collect those points.

Rast kept the lead at about five seconds, securing his sixth consecutive win and breaking records in the process. Paffett finished behind Wittmann in third place, aiding Mercedes in concluding their 30-year participation in the DTM with the 2018 drivers' championship title.

Paffett's victory in 2018 signifies his first DTM championship win since he last claimed the title in 2005. Rast came close to defending his title, ending just four points behind, while Di Resta, who finished 14th and did not score any points, missed out on being a key player in the final stages of the championship, finishing third overall.

Nico Muller and Robin Frijns secured the fourth and fifth positions for Audi, trailing behind Gary Paffett. BMW filled the rest of the point-scoring spots, with Bruno Spengler spearheading the M4 contingent in sixth place.

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