DTM: Wickens hits out at Tomczyk after collision

DTM title hopeful Robert Wickens has criticized BMW Team Schnitzer driver Martin Tomczyk after the pair collided in the second race at Moscow Raceway.

Wickens, who went into the race in the lead of the championship having won Saturday's first encounter, started third and held that position in the opening stages as he hounded BMW driver Tom Blomqvist. But unable to find a way by, the Canadian's race went downhill from there, dropping back from Blomqvist as a power steering issue – which developed into a failure – set in on lap eight, before losing more time through a slow pit stop.

Wickens then also made contact with Tomczyk, who was yet to pit, as they fought for position, with the Mercedes suffering a loss of downforce as a result of damage. He recovered to finish fifth, holding off Edoardo Mortara at the line, but felt the contact with Tomczyk had affected his race far worse than his car's self-developed fault.

"He braked deliberately on the straight and in places where you shouldn't in a bid to hold me up," said Wickens. "I tried to overtake him on the outside, but he didn't steer into the turn and carried straight on. The resulting damage cost me more lap time than the problems with the steering."

Wickens praised the help of HWA teammate Dani Juncadella toward the end of the race, the Spaniard holding off a six-car train for some time and sacrificing his own podium chances to protect Mercedes' main title contender.

"Dani is the man of the race for me; I can't thank him enough for his support," continued Wickens, who is now second in the points behind race two winner Marco Wittmann. "But for him, I wouldn't have been in the points.

"It was really hard to keep out of the way of other drivers without power steering and with less downforce than normal. But still, I can be pleased in the end, since at times, I didn't think I would make it to the finish line."

LEADING CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

Originally on Autosport.com