Auer: Restart, not BoP tweak, key in Mercedes' Imola DTM turnaround

The Winward Racing driver only missed out on a podium on Sunday when he was passed on the final lap by Marco Wittmann’s BMW, which marked a dramatic turnaround from Saturday’s race when Maro Engel in the best-placed Mercedes-AMG GT3 only finished tenth. 

All Mercedes drivers had been given a 20kg weight deduction prior to the opening race, after Auer had topped the AMG contingent in qualifying in ninth, but the limited passing opportunities around the Imola circuit meant this had limited effect and the Austrian retired while running outside the points due to fading brakes. 

The BoP was adjusted again prior to qualifying on Sunday, with 25kg added to the Audi and Lamborghini cars, as Engel’s Gruppe M car earned fourth on the grid. 

Auer qualified four places further back, but moved into contention following a rapid safety car restart that sprung him ahead of Engel, Luca Stolz and Wittmann. He then ran side-by-side with Felipe Fraga’s Ferrari into Tamburello, the early race leader cutting a right-rear tyre in subsequent contact and having to retire. 

Speaking to Autosport after the race, where he apologised to his team for the “shitty mistake” that allowed Wittmann through, Auer rejected suggestions that the BoP tweak had made much difference. 

“For me to be honest it was more my restart which made our day,” said the Portimao winner, who was allowed past Mirko Bortolotti under the safety car after the Italian had been released into his path exiting his pit box and made contact with the Mercedes.  

“They were sleeping, no really, and this made our race. 

“The rest, we would be the same pace as yesterday, I think one or two cars in P9-P10.” 

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Photo by: DTM

Engel continued his record of scoring in every race, one