The debate about the DTM starts occupies the drivers – and those responsible: Because the rear wing of the car in front covers the traffic lights and they cannot see them, the drivers asked for it after the season opener in Portimao, even before the race was released from the formation to be able to step out.
A permit that was banned again after the start crash at the Norisring. With good reason, as DTM technical director Michael Resl thinks. “If you look at the starts, they happen in a V formation, which doesn’t make sense because all the drivers are sitting on the left,” the Austrian points out a curiosity in an interview with ‘Motorsport-Total.com’.
“Anyone standing on the right should actually turn left,” adds Resl. That makes sense, as race director Scot Elkins had allowed the drivers to deviate from the formation by half a car width before the second race weekend at the Lausitzring.
“Driving out was exaggerated by more than car width”
If you stick to this specification, the only time the car is out of the way in front of you is if you swerve to the side of the driver’s seat – that is, to the left.
“Nevertheless, this extension was exaggerated by more than half a car width – and no longer corresponds to what we want to see,” explains Resl, explaining why the permit was withdrawn and the exact wording of the regulations has been in effect since the second Norisring race .
Article 21.4 describes starting in narrow rows of two separated by a maximum of one car length. “All drivers must remain in their respective position until the traffic light turns green, otherwise there may be penalties,” the regulations say. “As soon as the traffic light turns green, the starting signal has been given and the racing can take place.”
DTM Technical Director: Accordion Effect “Question of Discipline”
Resl also does not attribute the unrest in the field to the fact that the drivers cannot see the green light due to the lack of a second, synchronized traffic light system – as requested by the drivers.
Instead, the DTM technical director refers to the “accordion effect” – that is, deliberately letting go and gaining momentum before the green light. “It’s a question of discipline,” Resl demands that the pilots stop this behavior and stick to the regulations.