Even with a topsy-turvy weekend in Russia, Britain’s Jamie Green is resolute about continuing to fight for the DTM drivers’ title, as the Team Rosberg driver is third in the standings, four points ahead of fellow stable mate Edoardo Mortara.
Two drive-through penalties for the Monaco-based racer saw him drop all the way back to 22nd place at the finish line, which started initially through contact with Team Schnitzer’s António Félix da Costa at the last turn on lap 12.
“On Sunday, things just weren’t going well at all. We had technical issues in qualifying, so I only took position 20,” said the Brit, who was able to make significant progress through the field along with Mortara in the initial stages.
“I was a little too optimistic in my attempt to overtake da Costa. I think he didn’t see me at all and turned the wheel in a perfectly normal way.
“Then I got another one because I was too fast in the entrance to the pit lane – that’s never happened to me before in my career.”
Da Costa was nevertheless able to carry on to the finish, even with damage to his M4 DTM inhibiting his pace for the remainder of the race.
Green was in the hunt for the title last year, which eventually went to Manor Racing’s Pascal Wehrlein, who made the jump to Formula One earlier this year.
With the pure race pace that the Audi RS5 DTM has been able to showcase, the effort from the 34-year-old is unquestionable, but he is very much aware of what is needed to raise the glass trophy at the Hockenheim finale.
“We still have six races and are not going to give up. But now we definitely need a few smooth weekends.”