AUDI RETAINS DTM CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AS JARVIS STARS IN ’07 AUDI AT MUGELLO

• Jarvis scores best DTM career result with fifth in third race driving 07-spec A4
• Legge completes full distance for third consecutive race on Mugello début
• Audi’s Scheider retains series lead despite non-score after jump start

Oliver Jarvis finished fifth in the latest German Touring Car Masters (DTM) at Mugello near Florence in Italy today (Sun 4 May) – the highest-placed 2007 specification car in the 19-car field.

Jarvis sliced his way up impressively from 11th on the grid to complete the opening lap in sixth place which became fifth one lap later when pole-starter Timo Scheider (Audi) pitted after officials deemed the German had jumped the start. Scheider, who retains the championship lead, recovered to finish 10th.

The young Briton ran strongly in fifth place to the chequered flag, finishing 5.6secs behind five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider (Mercedes) and 0.7secs ahead of reigning DTM champion Mattias Ekström (Audi) having been as high as second during the second and final compulsory pit-stop phase.

For Legge, also contesting the high-profile DTM category for the first time like Jarvis, it was another full race distance completed – a feat ex-Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes) cannot claim in his maiden DTM season – as the British lady netted 18th. Legge, who set the fourth best top-speed in the race (164mph) and the 16th fastest race lap.

Oliver Jarvis (24), from Burwell, Cambs. Audi Sport Team Phoenix, Audi A4 DTM (2007):
Qualified: 11th (1:44.031). Race Result: 5th
"I made a great start, getting a couple of places off the line then went around the outside of another couple at the first corner. During the first stint my Phoenix Audi team-mate, Alexandre Prémat, pushed me hard but I managed to keep him behind. Unfortunately I stalled the Audi when I left the pit-box on my first stop but it only cost me a couple of seconds and didn’t lose me any places. After my second stop, I had Mattias (Ekström) close behind me all of the way to the chequered flag so it was big pressure from start to finish. It was a tough race but I’m delighted to have finished fifth and score my first DTM points and reward the team.     ”
* Third DTM race, raced Formula 3 single-seater at Mugello in 2006 finishing second.

Katherine Legge (27), from Haslemere, Surrey. Futurecom-TME, Audi A4 DTM (2006):
Qualified: 18th (1:46.806) – best DTM career qualifying position. Race Result: 18th 
"The positive thing is that I completed another race distance but I’m frustrated because since qualifying yesterday and during the race today, my Audi has handled as it should but I fought hard and we’ll go away and check everything before the next race.”
* Third DTM race, first ever race at Mugello.

Mugello Rd3: 33-laps, 107.55-miles. Weather: Air temp 20°C, dry/overcast. Attendance: 15,000.
1.  Jamie Green (Mercedes). 59mins 39.961s
2.  Paul di Resta (Mercedes). + 3.166
3.  Tom Kristensen (Audi). + 5.313
5.  Oliver Jarvis (Audi). + 15.037
18.  Katherine Legge (Audi). + 76.587
* Pole-position (Air temp 26°C, sunny/dry): Timo Scheider (D), Audi A4 (2008). 1:43.079 –
Third consecutive pole for Scheider.

Championship standings: 1st Scheider (Audi), 18pts; 2nd Green (Mercedes), 17; 3rd Ekström (Audi), 14; 10th Jarvis, 4. Next race: EuroSpeedway (D), round 4 (48-laps, 103.73-miles) on 18 May.

Background: Audi enters 10 cars. 4 x 2008 model A4 (base weight 1050kg), 4 x ’07 A4 (1040kg), 2 x ’06 A4 (1030kg). Races in the 11-round championship, staged in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Britain (Brands Hatch on 31 Aug), Spain and France, last approx 1hr, feature two compulsory pit-stops (to change tyres and add fuel) with points awarded for the top-eight finishers. 19 cars are entered for each race. Audi has won the DTM title five times (1990-1, ’02, ’04 & ’07).