Bruno Spengler hits out at Audi drivers in DTM
BMW's Bruno Spengler has hit out at the treatment he has received from Audi drivers in recent DTM rounds, following an incident-packed opening Nurburgring race
The 2012 champion was running second to victor Maxime Martin when Edoardo Mortara forced his way down the inside at Turn 1, with 12 minutes remaining.
Mortara found his way past after heavy contact between the pair, which damaged Spengler's car, and the BMW driver retired after being swamped by the pack behind.
The Canadian also dropped down the order in Sunday's Oschersleben race a fortnight ago, following a clash with Jamie Green.
"I'm very disappointed, quite pissed off actually," Spengler said.
"It's the second time in a row that my race gets totally broken by an Audi.
"We try to play fair, as much as we can, with no team orders or anything, but the others just drive into you.
"Inside the car it was quite clear. [Edoardo] came to me and said it was a bit on the limit.
"On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that if I wasn't there he wouldn't have made the corner."
Mortara, who finished second, admitted the move was "brave", but insisted he had to force his way past to stay clear of Pascal Wehrlein.
"I had to make a move, otherwise Pascal would have got me," he told AUTOSPORT.
"The only opportunity for me was to brake very late and he didn't expect that.
"I try to race as fair as I can overall, but sometimes you have these situations that happen and you have to take a decision.
"Otherwise if you wait too long you're going to be overtaken by the entire field behind you, that is also waiting for the first opportunity to overtake you."
WEHRLEIN REVISITS MARTIN CLASH
Championship leader Wehrlein had a Turn 1 incident of his own, at the start with Martin.
While he jumped out of his Mercedes to remonstrate with the Belgian through the window of his BMW when the race was red flagged, Wehrlein's view had changed post-race.
"When we had a stop at the red flag I was very angry," he said.
"I didn't see the replay, so now I just saw it after the race and there was a gap and he just went for the gap, so everything was fine.
"After the start you have so many emotions so I have to apologise to your [Martin's] door."
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