Timo Glock has raised concerns over reckless, aggressive driving in DTM following the season opener at Oschersleben. After early retirement from the race, he criticizes the lack of sportsmanship and safety on track, calling for accountability among competitors. With plans to speak to race officials, Glock aims to address ongoing issues regarding driving standards and safety protocols.
Timo Glock is not holding back after his DTM season opener at Oschersleben. The ex-Formula 1 driver expressed his frustration over what he called “kamikaze driving” by some competitors. Following his early retirement, Glock voiced concerns about the lack of driving etiquette displayed on track, feeling quite upset and somewhat restrained during his post-race interviews.
The Dörr Motorsport driver noted that incidents led to significant damage to his McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. He mentioned a fundamental problem with the car being investigated back at McLaren, alongside worrying about the reckless behaviour of other drivers. “It felt like everyone out there thought they had to drive totally kamikaze,” Glock remarked to ProSieben, dissatisfied with how the race unfolded.
Glock’s retirement wasn’t solely down to the car’s issues but stemmed from collisions with other drivers, particularly Mercedes rookie Tom Kalender. Glock recounted having had “eight punches” in the car due to aggressive driving from other competitors. “I don’t know what everyone was up to,” he lamented, reflecting on a chaotic start to the race that leaves him with many questions.
Among the incidents, the collision with Kalender added to Glock’s frustration, who wasn’t entirely sure if Kalender was indeed the driver involved. He described how another rookie, Morris Schuring, “drove halfway through my car” and highlighted that this sort of reckless driving has been an increasing concern since DTM’s switch to GT3 cars in 2021.
Glock pointed out the difference in driving standards between the old Class 1 prototypes and the current GT3 vehicles, stressing that driving behaviour has taken a wrong turn. “Everyone knew that it wouldn’t do them any good because they would knock aero parts off and then nothing would work,” he said.
Aware of an urgent need for action, Glock is calling on race officials to enforce consequences. He plans to discuss the matter with race director Sven Stoppe, stressing that the spectacular on-track action shouldn’t come at the cost of wrecked cars. He hopes that the upcoming drivers’ meeting at the Lausitzring will address these pressing issues.
Clearly, Glock’s comeback aims not only for competitive racing but also for fairness on the track. With his career experience, he seems determined to advocate for driving standards that prioritise safety and sportsmanship, hoping for a change before the next events unfold.
Timo Glock has voiced serious concerns about driving conduct in DTM after the season opener at Oschersleben. Upset over reckless manoeuvring he termed “kamikaze driving”, he raises alarms over car safety and hopes race officials will enforce stricter guidelines. His call for accountability reflects a deep-seated need for improvement in driving etiquette, especially with the new generation of race cars introduced in 2021. Glock’s actions may set the tone for discussions in the upcoming drivers’ meeting.
Original Source: www.autosport.com