3.10.2005
Opel in the points at first DTM race in Turkey

In his penultimate race before his retirement, Opel driver Laurent Aiello finished sixth in the race of the German touring car series (DTM) at the Istanbul Park circuit in Turkey.

Last weekend's race of the German touring car series (DTM) took place at the new racetrack in Istanbul, Turkey.

Marcel Fässler on seven and Manuel Reuter on nine were the fastest Opel drivers in Saturday's qualifying session. With this result, both of them made it into the Super Pole session. Thanks to an excellent lap time, Reuter grabbed sixth place. Fässler finished the Super Pole on nine. Laurent Aiello and Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished the qualifying eleventh and twelfth, respectively.

Reuter was the fastest Opel driver in the early laps of Sunday's race, which was made treacherous by standing water around the circuit. Aiello then passed him to take eighth place. Reuter opted for an early pit strategy, while Aiello stayed out until lap ten as he was caught behind third-placed qualifier Bruno Spengler (Mercedes). Aiello ran as high as fifth before his second pitstop and rejoined in a fight with Spengler and Jean Alesi (Mercedes). After a tough battle, he came out on top of this trio, finishing in an excellent sixth position.

Fässler just missed the points, finishing tenth, while Reuter came in fourteenth. Frentzen did not make the finish due to a collision with Christian Abt's Audi in a position fight.

Gary Paffett won the race in Istanbul ahead of Mika Häkkinen and Bernd Schneider (both Mercedes). Thanks to this victory, Paffett is now leading the standings with 78 points, ahead of Mathias Ekström (Audi, 69 points) and Tom Kristensen (Audi, 51 points).

The last race of the 2005 DTM season is scheduled to take place in Hockenheim, Germany, on October 23.