The thrilling duel between Ayhancan Guven and Marco Wittmann on the ultimate lap of the DTM decider at Hockenheim was the race’s massive speaking level that sparked heated debate.
Only a few corners earlier than the end, Wittmann took the lead from Guven and gave the impression to be on his technique to victory. However the Manthey Porsche driver struck again simply seconds later, reclaiming the highest spot with a controversial transfer within the Sachskurve.
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“The assault from my aspect [Wittmann’s pass on Guven] was particularly reasonable,” emphasised Wittmann, who had drawn alongside the Manthey Porsche driver between Turns 11 and 12 and was in a position to move him on the entrance to the Motodrom. “Sooner or later I may see the wall coming nearer and nearer, there was additionally a little bit of paint exchanged on my half.
“The transfer [by Guven] within the Sachskurve was a bit questionable, you may positively debate that. I used to be hit from behind, despite the fact that I had really closed the door. For my part, that was considerably debatable.”
How did Guven see it from his automotive? “My engineer yelled, ‘You need to win!’ precisely in the mean time Wittmann overtook me,” he stated. “I had exit, he moved barely, and I noticed a niche of about 0.9 automotive lengths.
“I do know you’re not allowed to maneuver underneath braking, so I assumed: that’s my spot.”
In an interview with Motorsport’s sister website Motorsport-Complete.com, Guven later added: “I simply did it with out pondering. Truthfully, it was actually shut, as a result of this can be a very tough nook, barely banked, and I used to be on the grass.”
Race winner and Champion Ayhancan Güven, Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3-R
Picture by: Alexander Trienitz
Race management took a better have a look at the incident on the ultimate lap however determined in opposition to imposing a penalty. In accordance with info from Motorsport-Complete.com, race director Sven Stoppe judged the state of affairs to be a case of “transferring underneath braking” by Wittmann.
The BMW driver had modified his line once more whereas braking, despite the fact that he had already entered the nook from a large exterior place. That’s exactly what the rule is supposed to forestall, as a result of a driver should determine earlier than braking whether or not to defend on the within or keep on the skin.
Tv footage additionally clearly confirmed the BMW’s nostril dipping – a sign that Wittmann was already braking earlier than altering his line once more – which led to why Guven escaped and not using a penalty.
“Two drivers, two opinions – we may talk about this eternally,” stated the BMW driver, who couldn’t perceive the accusation of transferring underneath braking. “There wasn’t actually any house, and I don’t know if he would have made the nook if I hadn’t been there.”
Thanks partly to the contact with Wittmann’s BMW, Guven managed to make the nook, permitting him to reclaim the lead within the ultimate metres: “I nonetheless needed to defend by means of the final two corners as a result of he had the higher exit, however I managed it.”
The victory handed Guven the 2025 DTM title – taken in such dramatic circumstances.
“I’ll have to look at the entire race once more tonight. For me as a motorsport fan, it was a loopy race – perhaps probably the greatest in historical past,” grinned the brand new DTM champion. “I feel a finale like this, on this observe, in that nook, on the final lap, it doesn’t get a lot better than that.”
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