Before the DTM season finale in Hockenheim next weekend, three drivers from the three brands Porsche, Lamborghini and Audi, Thomas Preining, Mirko Bortolotti and Ricardo Feller, have realistic chances of winning the title. But does a team or manufacturer – as so often in the history of the DTM – risk a team order despite the ban?
SSR Lamborghini driver Mirko Bortolotti, who is second in the championship ten points behind, appeals: “I hope it’s fair and there are no stupid games played. Hopefully it’s between us – and not with other people , trying to do something clever that won’t end up being clever.”
He doesn’t rely on the support of his teammates or brand colleagues. “No, that’s not possible,” he says, referring to the ban. “We are on our own and have to fight ourselves.”
DTM: Challenger Feller hopes for support
DTM leader Preining makes it clear – unsurprisingly – that there are no plans in this regard in his camp either. “Plan A is that you don’t have to rely on something like that. And there’s nothing planned in that direction. It would be nicest and best if everything runs smoothly. And it’s handled in a really sporty way and clarified on the track – and not somewhere at the green table or through teammates.”
Meanwhile, Abt Audi driver Feller, who is the outsider in third place in the championship, 31 points behind, is hoping for support from his teammate Kelvin van der Linde, albeit within the limits of the regulations.
“I hope that my teammate will be as strong as he was at the last race weekends and be at the front because then he can take big points away from the two guys. That would be good for me because I have to catch up. But otherwise there are no resources.” said the Swiss.
What do the DTM regulations say?
But what is the current team order ban in the DTM? “Agreements between manufacturers or applicants (teams) and drivers which stipulate that the manufacturer or applicant can give the driver direct or indirect instructions for his behavior during qualifying or races that restrict the driver in sporting competition are prohibited,” it says it in Article 20.2 of the DTM regulations.
“In the event of violations, a fine of 250,000 euros may be imposed on the manufacturer, applicant and/or driver.” In concrete terms, this means that any agreements are prohibited, but theoretically the driver could decide for himself to take his foot off the accelerator.
Apart from that, everyone is aware that it is ultimately impossible to completely exclude a team order through a ban as long as no instruction can be proven. At least obvious cases like those at the Norisring in 2021, when the Mercedes-AMG drivers made Maximilian Götz champion following radio instructions, are definitely wanted to be prevented.
DTM teams warned after suspected SSR case
Race director Sven Stoppe has already made that clear to the teams this season when, after Bortolotti’s victory on Saturday at the Nürburgring, the behavior of SSR teammate Franck Perera at the restart was examined for hours.
It looked as if the Frenchman, one lap behind, had made the wall behind Bortolotti at the restart and thereby helped his factory driver colleague to victory.
The DMSB even checked whether there might be a hidden second radio frequency through which Perera received instructions. In the end, however, it became clear that the slow pace was due to the fact that, unlike the rest of the field, he had rain tires on.
DTM: When will the regulators intervene?
The fact that the DMSB took the matter so seriously and even held its own briefing with the team managers on Sunday can also be understood as a warning that any games will be investigated carefully and that they will not shy away from issuing penalties.
In the end, however, one can assume that the regulators will only intervene in the finale when there is a real need for action – such as in the event of blockages in qualifying or if there is suspicion of a willful stoppage.
As a rule, the drivers are instructed at the driver briefing before a title final to stay out of the title decision. And if a Ferrari driver, whose manufacturer has nothing to do with the decision, doesn’t make life particularly difficult for the title contenders, then why should Dennis Olsen make it for his teammate Preining?