Scheider: "Toughest days of my entire career"

"The days after Spielberg were not very nice for sure", Scheider said in an Audi conference call. "I think those were the toughest days and weeks of my entire career so far.

"I could do nothing else but watch what happened. And there were a few painful moments."

According to the two-time DTM champion the media hype after the Spielberg events and comments on social media platforms were especially difficult to deal with.

"Some comments were rather harsh", Scheider said. "Some of it was really low, too."

On the other hand, Scheider understands the sudden media interest.

"Being a race driver, this is part of the game, I think. You are in the public eye all the time."

Scheider was banned from taking part in the DTM event at Moscow Raceway.

"That was not funny at all", he explains. "I was wondering how closely I would follow the action at Moscow but in the end motor racing has such a big place in my heart that I watched everything.

"However, it was pretty hard to see your car on track and your mechanics at work without being able to take part yourself. This is why I am eager to return to action this weekend at Oschersleben."

At Moscow, Scheider was replaced by Formula 3 leader Antonio Giovinazzi at Audi Sport Team Phoenix. However, Scheider's stand-in did not score any points on his DTM debut.