Thrilling race sets up Di Resta for chance of Hockenheim glory

Published on Monday 6 October 2008 09:55

BATHGATE'S Paul Di Resta heads to the final race of the German Touring Car Championship at Hockenheim in three weeks just two points off the lead after scoring a dramatic second place in the rain-affected penultimate round in France.

The 22-year-old Scot, who won a fortnight ago in Barcelona, started yesterday's race on the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans from fourth on the grid but soon dropped back through the field after gambling on wet tyres.

But after pitting for slicks as the track continued to dry, Di Resta began fighting his way back through the field before another light shower made conditions treacherous and the Scot slithered off the circuit a number of times in his Mercedes. Again the track dried, but moments before making his second mandatory pitstop a final heavy shower swept across the French circuit and this played perfectly into Di Resta's hands.

With 11 laps remaining, the Scot opted to fit wet-weather tyres and he rejoined the field in fourth behind the Audi of eventual race winner Mattias Ekstrom but, crucially, just ahead of championship leader Timo Scheider's Audi.

Di Resta then passed the Merc of Gary Paffett, before taking second from the Audi of Frenchman Alexandre Premat.

"That was just chaotic," said Di Resta "We took a gamble on wet tyres at the start of the race and we quickly realised it was the wrong option, so I had to make an extra pitstop to switch to slicks.

"We started the weekend seven points behind Timo and now we head to the final race separated by just two points. Hockenheim was always going to be thrilling, but now we go there with a lot of momentum and a real chance of winning the championship."