René Rast receives grid drop for Race 2 after incident with Maro Engel

René Rast has received a five-place grid drop for tomorrow’s race as a result of his ‘third strike’ of the season, following an incident with Mercedes driver Maro Engel at the Nürburgring.

Rast was the highest scoring driver for Audi in a race marred by the changing weather conditions, but unlike fellow Audi driver Mattias Ekström, Rast’s strategy at least meant he was able to pick up some vital championship points.

Rast started seventh on the grid, but dropped to 11th after coming together with Mercedes’ Maro Engel, for which Rast received a warning, but as it’s his third, it means the 30-year-old receives a five-place grid drop penalty tomorrow.

“It was a very difficult race, started P7 and finished P5,” said Rast. “It was very difficult and I wasn’t happy with my balance. We had a good strategy as we waited for the rain to come, so yes, we got some important points for the championship.”

Jamie Green started from 14th on the grid, and was the last driver to pit, advancing up to sixth place, recovering important ground in the championship.

The race was disastrous for Mattias Ekström however, who changed to slick tyres just as it began to rain again, ruining his chances as he needed to pit again to mount wets. The Swede was 15th in the race, but managed to keep the championship lead with 128 points to his tally, one ahead of Mercedes’ Lucas Auer and four ahead of Rast.

Dieter Gass, head of Audi Sport, lamented not making the right decisions for the championship leader: “I would say I have seen much more chaotic races. At the beginning of the race the conditions were very clear, it was an easy call. It was a matter of being patient and waiting for the right moment, which was the most difficult thing in the race.

“It was very unfortunate for Mattias; he was in a very good position and had a very good pace. There were a number of drivers that pitted at the moment the rain came back again and, in hindsight, it was the wrong decision. But Mattias was at the last chicane when he saw the drizzle coming in and could have decided to carry on and not do the pit stop.”

Tomorrow’s weather forecast is dry but windy conditions. Dieter Gass believes that the Audis will be penalised because of the weight situation, which are unchanged as there’s been no new calculation because of the rain. “Tomorrow you can come and see us at the back of the grid,” he quipped.