DTM title contender Mirko Bortolotti, who went into hiding after the second collision at the Nürburgring, is now defending himself on social media against criticism below the belt
After the disappointing Nürburgring weekend, where Mirko Bortolotti failed to score a single point and lost the DTM lead due to two collisions, the Grasser Lamborghini driver went into hiding without facing the media. But now, two days later, the Italian, who lives in Vienna, has taken a stand with a statement on Instagram.
And thus also defends himself against hostility on social media that hit below the belt. “Since I was a five-year-old boy, I’ve been working my ass off to make it here. No one in the whole world will be able to denigrate that,” Bortolotti said in his post.
“To that I will add that I am not perfect – and never will be. I am always open to criticism. I am humble. That will make me stronger. If you’re perfect, then I’m really happy for you. “
Bortolotti misses respect
The 32-year-old Italian is now calling for respectful treatment and promises to fight for the DTM title until the end. “Motorsport is a short-sighted business, but respect is a matter of personality and education,” he writes.
Bortolotti, who was part of the Red Bull and Ferrari junior squads over a decade ago and was considered a potential Formula 1 candidate, went through a low after his Formula era and successfully relaunched his career in GT racing. Today, he is considered one of the strongest GT3 drivers around and is fighting for the title in his first DTM year at the first attempt.
Nürburgring weekend went completely wrong
Bortolotti’s start to the second half of the season at the Nürburgring last weekend proved to be a setback, however, when he collided with AF Corse Ferrari driver Felipe Fraga in the battle for the lead in the first race and retired. Bortolotti apologised to the Brazilian and took the accident on his head.
In the second race he made a great recovery, but three laps before the end there was another collision with Abt Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde in the fight for fourth place. The tie rod of Bortolotti’s Lamborghini broke. He retired – and thus lost further valuable points in the championship.
With six rounds to go, the runner-up is now 21 points behind the leading Schubert BMW driver Sheldon van der Linde in the championship.
Bortolotti’s statement in the original English wording:
Dear Nürburgring,
It’s been a difficult weekend but I still like you!
You might expect me to say something extremely poetic right now but that’s just how I feel.
We are so deeply focused on our business that we mostly forget the bigger picture: How privileged we are to do what we love for a living. I’m working my ass off since I was a 5 year old boy to be where I am. Nobody in the world will ever be able to deny it.
This said, I’m not perfect and I will never be. I’m always open to criticism. I’m humble. It will make me stronger.
If you are perfect, I’m really happy for you.
Last but not least: Motorsport is a myopic business, but respect is a matter of personality and education. Despite missing some of that here and there this year but reacting with style to it, I will keep my head down and we keep fighting till the end. Conclusions will be made after the last chequered flag.
