Landgraf-Mercedes driver Maro Engel feels he was robbed of podium after two collisions with Thomas Preining, but he also sees Engel at fault
Landgraf Mercedes driver Maro Engel shows “little understanding” for the driving style of the “Grello” driver after the two collisions with DTM title contender Thomas Preining at Saturday’s DTM race in Spielberg (click here for the race report). “There was a podium in it, but I think everyone saw what happened out there,” said Engel, who ended up fifth ahead of Preining.
How he felt about the first manoeuvre in the battle for third place on the 29th of 35 laps? “I think he was just too far away,” Engel gathers. “The inside track was still wet. He then tries it, slides completely into my side and shoots me out at the exit of the corner. After that, the steering was crooked and the car damaged – and he repeats it again a few laps later.”
The “Mamba” driver said he was “just surprised when I saw him trying from so far back. He could have worked it out for himself that it wouldn’t work – and he’d never be able to stop the car without taking me full broadside. “
Preining: “First action was too much from my side “
But how does Preining see the two actions? “Different,” answers the local hero, who reduced the gap in the championship to leader Mirko Bortolotti to six points with sixth place. “The first one was certainly too much from my side, I overshot there. He closed on the brakes, which you’re not really allowed to do, but then I got on the wet and drove into him.”
That’s why he gave back the position “despite everything”, which was also demanded by the race stewards.
“I think the second move was okay,” said Preining. “I gave him enough space at the exit and he kind of went wide.” So why did he still let Engel past on the last lap? “My engineer instructed me,” said the Linz native.
Consequence of the manoeuvre: Rast drives into the rear of Engel
The race control had already initiated an investigation at this point – and decided on “no further action” after Preining’s anticipatory obedience. But what does Engel say about the accusation that Preining had closed the door on the brakes? “Yes, yes,” the veteran reacts. “Maybe he should look at himself sometimes. That would suit him quite well.”
It is curious that Preining’s effort to let Engel pass cost the Mercedes driver another position: because when Preining first dropped back behind Feller after the first manoeuvre and then let Engel pass on the inside in the third corner, Schubert-BMW driver Rene Rast drove Engel into his rear and then used the higher top speed on the straight to overtake him.
Engel and Rast were subsequently summoned by the stewards, but there were no consequences because Engel had been slowed by Preining.
Preining: “Is often surprising for the driver in front “
Preining, meanwhile, is aware that he could have “prevented” the collision in the first action. At the same time, he feels forced to make risky manoeuvres due to the car characteristics of the Porsche 911 GT3 R and the low top speed due to the Balance of Performance.
“We are extremely far away at the end of the straight,” explains Preining. “Luckily we’re good on the brakes, which helps. But you then come from way behind, and that’s often surprising for the car in front. “
Preining on championship: “Could have been more “
How Preining assesses the championship situation after Bortolotti’s ninth place? “There could have been more in it, but we have to work on tomorrow and do better tomorrow,” the Porsche works driver demands.
“We don’t have to hide in any conditions. And if we turn the right screws, it can be good, but we have to find that first.”
At least he managed to pass Bortolotti, who was still on cold tyres, directly after the pit stop. “That was less spectacular for me, because he fought with blunt weapons,” Preining knows. “Otherwise he would have put up more of a fight. That was the first time we saw each other on the track this year. “
