Robert Wickens describes maiden DTM podium as ‘miracle’

Mercedes’ Robert Wickens has described his maiden DTM career podium as a ‘miracle’ following his shock third place at Brands Hatch.

The Canadian originally crossed the line fourth, one position behind team-mate Gary Paffett who made a standard-option-standard tyre strategy work; a move which elevated him from 12th to 3rd come the end of the race.

However, Paffett was penalised for failing to slow sufficiently under the yellow flags which followed Edoardo Mortara’s accident at Clearways in the race’s closing stages.

As a result, he was demoted to sixth after being issued a five second time penalty; a decision which elevated Wickens to third. The news allegedly reached the Canadian whilst he was giving an interview in the pit-lane immediately after the race.

“It’s like a miracle,” said Wickens afterwards. “It’s also great to taste some champagne after two years.”

Wickens believes he made the best of a good start and a strategy which saw him start on the option tyre, then take on the primes in his next two stops.

“I had a very good start, during which the new option tyres helped me a great deal.

“I had two good pit stops on top of that, and a little bit of luck at the end – it was just perfect.”

When asked how he felt about his first DTM career podium – his first top-three finish since Formula Renault 3.5 – he simply replied: “No different, just two hats.”