No happy ending for Lucas Auer and Thomas Preining

No happy ending for Lucas Auer and Thomas Preining

Two Austrians – Lucas Auer and Thomas Preining – had traveled to Hockenheim with a chance of winning the final of the German Touring Car Masters (DTM), but a South African won the race. Yesterday, third place behind the two Germans Marco Wittmann (BMW) and Rene Rast (Audi) was enough for Sheldon van der Linde (BMW) to clear things up.

Lucas Auer, who had made things extremely exciting with his triumph on Saturday, came under pressure 24 hours later with 30 kilograms of additional weight (25 for the win, five because of a new classification) as eleventh in qualifying. The 28-year-old finished in the race Tyrolean seventh and second in the final standings – eleven points behind van der Linde.

“Nevertheless, it was a great season that cannot be reduced to this race,” said Auer, the nephew of the DTM boss and former Formula 1 star Gerhard Berger. “The young team did a great job. I’m so proud of the guys. Today I have a laughing and a crying eye, I could hardly brake the car. It was extremely difficult with the additional weight,” analyzed Mercedes driver Auer .

Thomas Preining from Linz, who finished fifth overall, left Hockenheim without any points, but with a guardian angel. The 24-year-old was involved in one of the violent accidents on Saturday, which, according to initial estimates, caused property damage of around one million euros. In contrast to his Porsche, the Upper Austrian got off lightly. He had to be treated medically, numerous bruises were diagnosed. Yesterday a start was unthinkable. “I’m glad we’re all still whole. I’m reasonably okay, but also sad and disappointed to have to end the season like this,” Preining wrote. Postscript: “I’ll be back on the track soon.”

Source: Nachrichten

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