Gary Paffett and Edoardo Mortara divided after double clash

Mercedes’ Gary Paffett and Audi’s Edoardo Mortara are divided on blame following their double clash at the Norisring on Sunday.

The pair first came together on lap 78, after Mortara emerged from the pits behind the HWA driver after his second stop.The Italian then appeared to misjudge the braking zone, and ploughed into the back of the Mercedes C-Coupe, which saw them both lose positions to Paffett’s HWA team-mates, Robert Wickens and Christian Vietoris.

Three laps later, Paffett had managed to claw his way back to third, whilst Mortara, after passing Vietoris was one place back.

However, the pair collided once again on lap 82 coming out of the Bahnhofkurve, and saw both cars retire on the spot.

“I overtook Edoardo Mortara on his final pit stop, but then he misbraked and drove into the back of me,” said Paffett. “He was clearly at fault.

“When we collided for the second time, I was on the inside and he drove into me again.”

Mortara was equally as disappointed with the outcome, as he could have been the second Audi on the podium as he showed the pace to be a top-three contender throughout the race.

However, he maintained his innocence in both incidents with the Mercedes driver.

“After the collision with Gary [Paffett] three laps before the end we weren’t able to finish the race although we firmly had a podium finish in sight,” said the Italian. “On my part, this was no intention.”