How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions
OPINION: The scenes at the Norisring as Mercedes used blatant team orders to secure the first DTM title of the new GT3 era totally undermined the credibility of the championship. But as well as overshadowing the season, it also presents uncomfortable questions to series bosses about the direction it is headed in
Team orders in motorsport never sit well with fans. So when Mercedes orchestrated a controversial switchover between its drivers in the DTM finale at the Norisring, it came as no surprise that it was met with widespread outrage.
Faced with the prospect of lead Mercedes driver Maximilian Gotz losing the drivers’ title by seven points to Red Bull Ferrari driver Liam Lawson, the Stuttgart manufacturer instructed both race leader Lucas Auer and his Winward team-mate Philip Ellis to slow down with just over a handful of laps to go. Team HRT's Gotz eased past both drivers to take the full 25 points for victory and snatch the title from the grasp of a helpless Lawson - his car badly hobbled by first corner contact - much to the dismay of those watching the scenes unfold live.
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