Edoardo Mortara has kicked off the 2016 DTM se💝ason with the fourth win of his career after controlling the opening round at the Hockeജnheimring from start to finish.

The Italian started on the front row alongside first time pole sitter Nico Muller, but a better get-away from the Italian would see him nose ahead into a lead he would protect all the way toꦡ the chequered flag.

A composed performance by the fifth-year driver, his only concerns would come from a charging Robert Wickens in the closing stages, th𝄹e Mercedes driver geღtting to within two seconds of the leader but having to settle for a podium, ahead of Muller, on the rostrum for the first time.

A late pass would see Paul di Resta get the better of Mercedes stablemate Christian Vietoris to get his season off to a strong start, ahead of Bruno Spengler and Anton💙io Felix da Costa, the pair trailing in their BMWs as the Munich marque struggled for form in warm conditions.

Various incidents through the field punctuated the race, with Timo Scheider out on the opening lap after clipping the spinning Tom Bloomqvist, before Timo💜 Glock and Daniel Juncadella were eliminated when they collidꦰed at the stadium section.

Esteban Ocon also failed to finish on his DTM debut, managing just 𓂃three laps before being forced to retire.