A Collision of Perspectives: Preining and Aitken's Sachsenring Incident
Racing Lines: When Ambition Meets the Wall
The Sachsenring Showdown: A Recap of the Controversial Incident
During the intense Sunday DTM race at the Sachsenring circuit, a significant collision unfolded between Thomas Preining, driving for Manthey-Porsche, and Jack Aitken of Emil Frey Racing Ferrari. This incident drew immediate attention and became a central point of discussion, especially as it echoed a similar crash involving Preining from the previous day's race. While Preining had acknowledged fault in the earlier event, his assessment of the Sunday clash painted a very different picture, leading to a dispute over accountability.
Preining's Account: The Unyielding Opponent
Thomas Preining articulated his version of the events, explaining that Aitken's minor error in the final sector presented an opportunity for an overtake at the first corner. He stated, “I moved to the inside, braking very late, and he was aware that such a late braking maneuver leaves no room for retraction.” Preining criticized Aitken for not yielding space, noting, “He simply denied me entry at the corner.” However, Preining also conceded that under the rules, Aitken was not obliged to give way, as it was 'his corner.' He expressed frustration, suggesting a more pragmatic approach from Aitken could have avoided the unnecessary penalty he incurred, which ultimately relegated him to an eleventh-place finish, remarking, “He paid a heavy price himself.” Preining also asserted that Aitken deliberately impeded him, saying, “He saw me, I know that because he reacted to me,” and lamented that his aggressive, yet usually effective, braking maneuver failed because Aitken “hadn't left space when they saw that I couldn't get out anymore.”
The Race Officials' Verdict: A Question of Fair Play
Despite Preining's protestations, Race Director Sven Stoppe determined that Preining was entirely at fault for the crash. The decision was based on the fact that Preining's car was not alongside Aitken's vehicle, but rather struck it from the rear—a key distinction from his Saturday incident with Jordan Pepper where he was alongside. Consequently, a standard three-lap penalty was issued. The race control intentionally delayed the penalty announcement until after the safety car period, anticipating that an earlier revelation might prompt strategic changes from the teams. Preining found this judgment “obviously unfair” but acknowledged his bias, reflecting the contentious nature of such decisions within the high-stakes environment of DTM racing.
Aitken and Emil Frey's Counter-Narrative: An Aggressive Miscalculation
Jack Aitken and his team at Emil Frey presented a contrasting viewpoint. Aitken described Preining's move as a characteristic late attempt to cut inside, which he was already defending against. He felt blindsided, stating, “It felt like he just hit me from behind,” and found himself stranded in the gravel. Aitken, who had been hoping to extend his championship lead, expressed profound disappointment, emphasizing the unnecessary nature of the collision. Jurg Flach, technical director for Emil Frey, supported Aitken, asserting that Preining's attempt was overly ambitious given his position and lacked the necessary foresight. Flach pointed out that according to racing rules, Aitken was not obligated to leave space as Preining was not sufficiently alongside his car. He concluded that Preining's aggressive play jeopardized both their races, suggesting that a patient approach would have better served Preining, especially given their car's superior pace.
The Aftermath: Unjustified Punishment and Championship Implications
Emil Frey also voiced concerns that the severity of Preining's penalty did not fully reflect the damage caused. They noted that a mere light contact sometimes results in similar penalties, yet in this instance, Aitken was completely removed from the race, while Preining still managed to secure six points. The outcome saw Preining finish eleventh, and Aitken's championship standing drop to second, just two points behind Lucas Auer. With only four races remaining, the impact of this incident on the championship chase is significant, underscoring the high stakes and razor-thin margins that define professional motorsport.