Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Maximilian Götz, Haupt Racing Team Mercedes AMG GT3
Prime
Opinion

How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions

OPINION: The scenes at the Norisring as Mercedes used blatant team orders to secure the first DTM title of the new GT3 era totally undermined the credibility of the championship. But as well as overshadowing the season, it also presents uncomfortable questions to series bosses about the direction it is headed in.

Team orders in motorsport never sit well with fans. So when Mercedes orchestrated a controversial switchover between its drivers in the DTM finale at the Norisring, it came as no surprise that it was met with widespread outrage.

Faced with the prospect of lead Mercedes driver Maximilian Gotz losing the drivers’ title by seven points to Red Bull Ferrari driver Liam Lawson, the Stuttgart manufacturer instructed both race leader Lucas Auer and his Winward teammate Philip Ellis to slow down with just over a handful of laps to go. Team HRT's Gotz eased past both drivers to take the full 25 points for victory and snatch the title from the grasp of a helpless Lawson - his car badly hobbled by first corner contact - much to the dismay of those watching the scenes unfold live.

Related video

Previous article Gotz expected controversial Lawson, van der Linde clash in DTM finale
Next article Marko says van der Linde deserved ban after Norisring DTM

More from Rachit Thukral

2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix session timings and preview

2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix session timings and preview

F1 Formula 1
Australian GP
2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix session timings and preview 2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix session timings and preview
BMW 'looking closely' at a future MotoGP entry

BMW 'looking closely' at a future MotoGP entry

MGP MotoGP
BMW 'looking closely' at a future MotoGP entry BMW 'looking closely' at a future MotoGP entry
Bastianini says KTM "really close" to Ducati in MotoGP this year

Bastianini says KTM "really close" to Ducati in MotoGP this year

MGP MotoGP
Portugal GP
Bastianini says KTM "really close" to Ducati in MotoGP this year Bastianini says KTM "really close" to Ducati in MotoGP this year
Honda MotoGP development not being focused on Marquez helping everyone - Zarco

Honda MotoGP development not being focused on Marquez helping everyone - Zarco

MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
Honda MotoGP development not being focused on Marquez helping everyone - Zarco Honda MotoGP development not being focused on Marquez helping everyone - Zarco
Aero "last piece of puzzle" in MotoGP bike development, says Miller

Aero "last piece of puzzle" in MotoGP bike development, says Miller

MGP MotoGP
Aero "last piece of puzzle" in MotoGP bike development, says Miller Aero "last piece of puzzle" in MotoGP bike development, says Miller
Audi could face €750,000 fine for exiting World Rally-Raid after Dakar

Audi could face €750,000 fine for exiting World Rally-Raid after Dakar

DAKR Dakar
Audi could face €750,000 fine for exiting World Rally-Raid after Dakar Audi could face €750,000 fine for exiting World Rally-Raid after Dakar
Having Marquez, Acosta in KTM MotoGP roster would be "amazing", says team manager

Having Marquez, Acosta in KTM MotoGP roster would be "amazing", says team manager

MGP MotoGP
Having Marquez, Acosta in KTM MotoGP roster would be "amazing", says team manager Having Marquez, Acosta in KTM MotoGP roster would be "amazing", says team manager
The experiment WEC could revisit to magnify its boom period

The experiment WEC could revisit to magnify its boom period

Prime
Prime
WEC WEC
The experiment WEC could revisit to magnify its boom period The experiment WEC could revisit to magnify its boom period

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia