DTM team principals and drivers are calling for a review of the series’ pit stop regulations after a series of close calls and incidents in the Zandvoort pit lane, including Arjun Maini’s Ford clipping a tire held by a Dörr mechanic and Thomas Preining nearly taking out an Abt mechanic.
Pit Lane Incidents Spark Safety Debate
Mirko Bortolotti, who was penalized on both days following collisions in the pit lane, warned that the current regulations “risk setting a dangerous precedent” and urged for a change to prioritize the safety of drivers and mechanics.
Gottfried Grasser, team principal of GRT Grasser Racing, echoed Bortolotti’s concerns, stating that the current regulation “encourages accidents in the pit lane” and called for a change to give priority to the fast lane, similar to other racing series.
DTM Regulation Under Scrutiny
Article 23.9 of the DTM Sporting Regulations states that participants are responsible for releasing their cars from the pit lane safely, without endangering other participants, and that cars in the working lane must yield to those in the fast lane.
However, the regulation also includes a provision that allows cars to change from the working lane to the fast lane, even if it means overlapping with another car, which has led to confusion and controversy among teams and drivers.
HRT team principal Ulrich Fritz criticized the regulation, saying it “rewards opportunistic behavior” and creates a situation where drivers are more likely to take risks and release their cars into the fast lane, regardless of the safety implications.
Call for Change
Race director Sven Stoppe has announced plans to discuss the pit stop regulations with teams before the Lausitzring weekend, amid concerns that the current rules are predestined to generate dangerous situations and put the safety of mechanics and drivers at risk.
With the DTM calendar featuring a range of tracks with different pit lane layouts, the need for a clear and consistent regulation is paramount, and teams and drivers will be watching closely to see how the series responds to the growing concerns over pit lane safety.
As the DTM season continues, the debate over pit lane safety is likely to remain a major talking point, with teams and drivers pushing for a regulation that prioritizes safety and minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries.
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