A DTM race at Zandvoort turned into a nightmare for both Lucas Auer and Nicki Thiim after a dramatic collision during the safety car restart. What started as a promising Sunday for the Mercedes driver ended in frustration, while the Aston Martin racer admitted to a costly error that derailed both their races.
A Costly Collision: Thiim’s Tank-Slapper Ruins Auer’s Race
After securing the DTM championship lead with a second-place finish on Saturday, Lucas Auer’s momentum came to a halt in the following day’s race. The Landgraf Mercedes driver had just overtaken Nicki Thiim for seventh place when the Comtoyou Aston Martin driver lost control, spinning Auer and sending him to the back of the pack.
“A really great move,” Auer sarcastically remarked in a post-race interview with ran.de. “Important for both of us—definitely. Now we’ve finished second to last and last. There’s nothing more to say; after that, it was a day to forget.” The usually upbeat Austrian managed to recover to 13th, salvaging three points, while Thiim crossed the line in 18th.
Thiim Takes Full Responsibility: “I Made a Huge Mistake”
The incident was so clear-cut that Race Director Sven Stoppe didn’t even refer it to the stewards. Nicki Thiim openly admitted his error, stating, “I’m disappointed in myself; I made a huge mistake at the restart.” The Dane explained that he had already gone into the gravel before the final corner, losing crucial positions to Ben Dörr and Auer.
Once Auer was past, Thiim revealed, “I had a massive tank-slapper in the first corner. So I hit Lucas, which I’m obviously super-sorry for.” The impact left his car with front-end damage, and with three penalty laps—“which I obviously deserve”—his race was effectively over.
What Is a Tank-Slapper in Motorsport?
A tank-slapper occurs when a driver nearly loses control of the car, forcing aggressive corrections. In Thiim’s case, the violent oscillation of his Aston Martin’s handlebars (or steering in a GT3 car) caused him to slide into Auer’s Mercedes, ending both their chances of a strong result.
Auer’s Analysis: “He Likely Had Pickup on His Tires”
After a post-race discussion, the two drivers cleared the air, with Thiim taking full blame. Auer offered a technical perspective: “At the restart, he already went wide. He probably had a lot of pickup on the tires,” referring to rubber debris that can reduce grip. “It happens. It’s the worst-case scenario for him and for me, but that’s racing.”
Championship Implications and What’s Next
Despite the setback, Lucas Auer remains a strong title contender. With two second-place finishes and a third in the first three races, he sits second in the DTM standings, trailing only Mercedes teammate Maro Engel (Winward). Meanwhile, Thiim holds ninth after his Saturday ninth-place finish.
Looking ahead, the series moves to the Lausitzring, a track where Auer has fond memories. “Coming back there is always special for me,” he said. The Austrian claimed his first of 11 DTM victories there in 2016 and is widely regarded as a specialist on the German circuit. “It’s a very good track for me—and I’m looking forward to it.”
Key Takeaways from the Zandvoort DTM Drama
- Thiim’s error cost both drivers a potential points haul.
- A tank-slapper and pickup on tires played a role in the collision.
- Auer remains second in the championship despite the setback.
- The next race at Lausitzring could be pivotal for Auer’s title hopes.
Stay tuned for more DTM racing updates as the season heats up—will Auer bounce back at Lausitzring, or will Thiim redeem himself after this costly mistake?
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