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Timo Scheider is the 2009 DTM champion. Second place in the grand finale of the season at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg was enough for the 30-year old Audi driver to clinch his second overall DTM win after 2008. The winner of the race and main rival in the battle for the title, Gary Paffett (GB/Mercedes-Benz) was able to make up two points on the German, but eventually was beaten with a difference of five points. Audi became the first manufacturer in history of the DTM to win three consecutive drivers’ titles.
Accompanied by a huge fireworks display and the cheers from the fans and numerous VIPs like Boris Becker and top model Eva Padberg, Scheider thanked his team on the radio after crossing the finish line: “This is just awesome. You are the greatest.”
After DTM record champion Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz) in 2000 and 2001, Scheider became the first driver to successfully defend his title. Although Paffett crossed the finish line as the race winner four times this season, Scheider came out on top because of his greater consistency. The German won two races, scored four second places and one fourth, one fifth and one sixth place.
2009 DTM champion 2009 Timo Scheider (Audi Sport Team Abt): “This is a moment in my life that I can only hardly describe. I owe all this to my team, to Audi and especially to my family, and that makes me really proud. I had a lot of pressure and expectations resting on my shoulders, particularly the fact that I was defending the title. Gary was a hard, but fair rival and would have deserved the title, too. I had a great race with two good pit stops. Today, I didn’t want to take any big risks. For me, it was just about brining it home. All in all, I am very happy. At the start of this year, I gave my word that I will marry my fiancée Jasmin. And I kept all the promises I have made in my life. Now, It looks like I will have to deliver on another promise.”
2009 DTM runner-up Gary Paffett (Salzgitter AMG Mercedes): “This season, we have scored four victories. That means that we had a great car throughout the year. Still, in some races, it didn’t go really well. I reckon that the races at Barcelona and Nürburgring have cost me the title. After Dijon, the championship came within reach for us once more. We haven’t won the championship and obviously, I am now slightly disappointed. However, we can be satisfied. We had a good year.”
