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Round 5 at the Norisring - Six and the City Excitement prior to the Euro2008 Final

Among the circuits on the DTM calendar, the Norisring is the most challenging for the brakes. Whilst braking at the Grundig hairpin, brake temperature rise to 800 degrees Celsius. As there is a decelerating from about 260 kph to 45 kph, the drivers have to endure forces of 2G. To maintain this brake performance for 74 laps even at high ambient temperatures, the brakes are equipped with biggest possible air ducts. On the evening after the race, we can hopefully keep our fingers crossed in case the German team will reach the UEFA Euro2008 final in Vienna. Daimler and its premium brand Mercedes-Benz have been close partners since 1972. Since 1990, Mercedes-Benz is the general sponsor of the German football association (DFB) and their national teams.

Due to the short track (2.3 kms), the lap times at the Norisring are closer together than on any other DTM circuit. The fastest race laps of all 18 classified drivers in the 2007 race were exactly within 0.649sec. Winner Bruno Spengler (AMG Mercedes C-Class) posted the fastest lap with 48.792sec, a new lap record for the 2.3-km track. Both pit stops have to be completed during the second third of the respective race. In the 74-lap race at the Norisring this will be between lap 25 and lap 49.

Comments on the Norisring race by Paul Di Resta, winner of the last race at the Lausitzring, Bruno Spengler, winner of the previous two races at the Norisring, and Nobert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

Paul Di Resta, AMG Mercedes C-Class: �Since 2003, Mercedes-Benz has won all five races at the Norisring in a row. I will try to be the next winner here for our brand.�

Bruno Spengler, Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class: �I have a lot of fond memories of the Norisring. I like the circuit and the unique atmosphere with so many fans and there I celebrated my first DTM win two years ago. With 14 points out of four races and sixth place overall, the 2008 season started everything but ideal for me. However, there are still 70 points to be scored and my plan is to score as many as possible to be at the very front in the end.�

Nobert Haug: �The Norisring is called the Monaco of the DTM, both races are staged in the centre of a city, they fascinate with their unique atmospheres and are the highlights of the season, for Formula 1 and for the DTM. Quite obviously, we had a good hit ratio so far. In Formula 1, Mercedes-Benz has won six out of the last 11 races since 1998, and at the Norisring we have won seven out of the last nine races since the existence of the �new� DTM in 2000. However, this is no guarantee that this series � five victories in a row since 2003 - will continue automatically. But we will work concentrated to produce a great and exciting race for the expected record crowd in Nuremberg and for the millions of TV viewers worldwide, and we will try to position the star again at the very front. I expect the closest race in the traditionally hard fought DTM history at the Norisring and would not be amazed if several drivers with last year�s cars could surprise. We all look forward to Sunday evening after the race and of course we hope that the German national football team will play in the final match of the European Cup.�

The winners of the DTM and ITC races at the Norisring (since Mercedes-Benz has entered the DTM in 1988):