On-Track Retribution: Thiim's 'Taste of His Own Medicine'
The Genesis of the Sachsenring Dispute: A Prior Encounter at Nurburgring
The tension between Aston Martin's Nicki Thiim and Mercedes-AMG's Tom Kalender had been simmering since their run-in at Nurburgring. Thiim had openly accused Mercedes-AMG of orchestrating Kalender's actions against him. The Sachsenring race provided a new arena for their rivalry, where Thiim alleged that Kalender once again failed to adhere to DTM's unwritten rule of leaving sufficient racing room.
The Sachsenring Incident: A Deliberate Nudge and Its Aftermath
Post-restart on lap five, Thiim, positioned behind Kalender, made a calculated move, nudging the young Landgraf driver. This contact caused Kalender to lose control and drop several positions. Thiim, defending his actions, stated, "This is now the second time that this has happened with him. Nurburgring was the first time - now again." He described his maneuver as a "little nudge," an acceptable part of what he termed "old-school rock'n'roll" racing. Kalender, however, immediately called for a penalty, which the race director, Sven Stoppe, promptly issued, forcing Thiim to yield his position.
Thiim's Calculated Vengeance: Turning the Tables on Kalender
The penalty, which cost Thiim five places, fueled his desire for retribution. In a subsequent battle, Thiim executed a pass on Kalender at Turn 1, then, mirroring Kalender's earlier tactic, left him no room on the exit. Thiim justified his action, saying, "He gets a bit of his own medicine there - it's give and take! Whining gets you nowhere here." He explained that Kalender had "overshot the apex" while Thiim was on the inside, replicating the earlier scenario. Thiim received a reprimand from the race director, which he dismissed, viewing it as a "professional foul" akin to football.
Kalender's Disappointment: A Race Jeopardized
Tom Kalender expressed his frustration, stating that Thiim's actions at Turn 3 during the start effectively "cost us the race again." He found himself spun around by Thiim, leading to a loss of five or six positions and making any recovery difficult on the challenging Sachsenring circuit. Kalender, having not yet spoken to Thiim, harbored doubts about the efficacy of any future discussion.
Thiim's Championship Aspirations and Theatrical Flair
Despite the controversies, Thiim managed to climb back to an eighth-place finish, acknowledging a tough but fair battle with Vermeulen. He praised his former teammate Mirko Bortolotti's defensive skills. With three races remaining and 30 points separating him from the lead, Thiim remains focused on the championship. He humorously suggested that further aggressive moves would entail buying many beers. He also hinted at hoping for "interesting weather," specifically rain, for the upcoming decisive race, suggesting a preference for conditions that might favor his assertive driving style and provide more entertainment for the fans.