The newest DTM race winner Robert Wickens has admitted that he is not thinking about the title and is aiming to finish the season with as many points finishes as possible.
By taking his first win last time out at the Nürburgring, Canadian Wickens moved up to third in the driver’s championship, albeit 36 points off leader Mike Rockenfeller. With 75 points still up for grabs, the 24-year-old still has an outside chance at the overall title.
“I’m now third in the standings, but my goal for the rest of the season is simply to score as many points as possible,” said Wickens. “I’d like to carry on the good work over the weekend at Oschersleben. The track is very demanding for both driver and car; there aren’t many straight sections where you can ease up mentally. The kerbs are very high, and to be fast, you need good traction and a stable setup for the slow corners.”
Looking back at his first win in the series, Wickens remains extremely proud of his achievement, having started from seventh on the grid and excelled in the changeable conditions against vastly more experienced drivers.
“My first DTM race at the Nürburgring was an incredibly beautiful experience, despite the absolutely atrocious weather conditions,” reflected the Canadian. “I knew that in racing everything is possible, but all the same, I wasn’t expecting that result. Even now, nearly four weeks later, I still have a smile on my face when I think about it. But that’s all in the past: the Nürburgring win is irrelevant to my chances in the upcoming race.”
Mercedes Head of Motorsport Toto Wolff knows that the marque faces an uphill battle for the final races of the season.
“In Christian and Robert, we have two of our Mercedes Juniors in the Top Three of the drivers’ standings, separated by just one point,” said Wolff. “Closing the gap on current championship leader Mike Rockenfeller won’t be easy, but we have no intention of giving up.”