Di Resta takes DTM points lead as Ocon has tough debut

© XPB 

Williams reserve Paul di Resta wins the second race of the opening round of the 2016 DTM season at Hockenheim to take an early lead in the championship, while Renault F1 third driver Esteban Ocon suffers a double retirement.

Lining up on pole position, Di Resta, who drives for Mercedes, enjoyed a great gateway off the line and went on to dominate the event to pick up his first victory since winning the DTM title back in 2010.

The Scotsman’s fourth-place finish in the first race ensures he leaves the German Grand Prix venue P1 in the Drivers’ standings.

Meanwhile, Ocon experienced a frustrating debut in the touring car series. The Frenchman, who is dovetailing his F1 commitment for Renault with a campaign in DTM at Mercedes, qualified 12th for race one but was forced to withdraw when he tangled with BMW’s Augusto Farfus after trying to recover from a sluggish getaway.

Ocon improved to seventh in the second qualifying session but another first-lap incident led to his second retirement in as many outings. The 19-year-old will now switch his focus back to F1 and next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix where he is scheduled to drive in FP1 as well as during the post-race test.

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