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René Rast Reflects on a Challenging DTM Race in Oschersleben
Following the DTM race held in Oschersleben, driver René Rast encountered an emotional moment with a mechanic who faced a critical error during a crucial pit stop. The mechanic, visibly distressed, instinctively hid behind his sunglasses as Rast, driving for Schubert BMW, finished fifth after starting from 15th place.
Despite the setback that caused him to drop from second to fifth, Rast praised his teammate’s efforts. “I’ve had really strong pit stops for two and a half years now, and today I dropped back two or three positions,” he noted in an interview with Autosport.com. “This is a new situation for the team, especially with four pit stops in one race. With two or three cars coming into the pits, mistakes can occur – I’m not upset with anyone for this.”
Team Spirit Emphasized by Torsten Schubert
Team Principal: Torsten Schubert, Schubert Motorsport
Describing the race events, Schubert emphasized the importance of unity within the team. After executing a successful strategy that saw Rast rise to second place, a miscalculation during the second pit stop proved costly.
The pit stop time of 9.281 seconds was significantly hindered by complications at both the front and left corners. Meanwhile, competitors such as Jules Gounon and Jordan Lee Pepper were dispatched two seconds faster. “The moment you press the wheel gun slightly too early, the nut cannot be repositioned,” Schubert explained. “This was the first time it hasn’t worked at this position. We win and lose as a team.”
Due to the wheel’s improper positioning, the mechanic struggled to secure the nut, leading to delays that ultimately impacted Rast’s position. Rast empathized with the mechanic’s emotional response, stating, “The crew trains hard, putting their heart into their work. If one or two individuals are responsible for a missed podium, it weighs heavily on them. Without that second pit stop, we could have finished second.”
Rast’s Journey Back to Contention
René Rast, Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3
Rast’s initial rise to second place after the first pit stop highlighted his capabilities. He benefited from the rule allowing those starting from lower positions to choose their tyres. The Schubert team utilized the last fresh set of tyres available, providing both Rast and teammate Marco Wittmann an edge during the race. Wittmann ultimately finished sixth.
“Starting from 15th, we were granted the opportunity to choose our tyres. That was a substantial advantage over those who didn’t have new tyres,” Rast elaborated. “I was near tenth after the first lap, while those in the top ten had to pit early due to tyre degradation. I could maintain my pace with the fresh tyres longer.”
Strong Performance During Early Pit Stops
René Rast, Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3
As the competition unfolded, Rast experienced a clear track and managed to execute a remarkable pit stop shortly before the end of the stop window. His crew achieved an impressive time of 6.518 seconds, with only his teammate Wittmann stopping faster at 6.241 seconds.
This fast stop elevated Rast to second position; however, he struggled to maintain pace against the eventual winner, Ayhancan Güven, due to racing on a used set of tyres. “Everyone around him was on new tyres, pushing at their limits,” Schubert commented.
In the end, Rast chose a qualifying tyre from the previous day’s session, but it failed to provide the anticipated advantage. “It had 20 laps fewer on it and technically should have been faster, but we weren’t able to capitalize on it,” Rast said. He concluded by reflecting on the DTM’s competitive balance, indicating that his team’s fifth place was a fair reflection of their capability. “Considering the circumstances, we would have accepted this result before the weekend started.”
Source
www.autosport.com