Paffett-Rockenfeller DTM collision reached 40Gs

Mercedes has released more details of the huge accident involving Gary Paffett and Mike Rockenfeller at last week's DTM round at Norisring.

Seen in the video below, Paffett hit the barriers after making contact with Jamie Green on the main straight, rebounded, and slid toward the first corner where he collected Rockenfeller as the Audi driver was turning in.

According to Mercedes, the initial 159mph impact generated between 6-8Gs, followed by a 38-40G strike into Rockenfeller's car. The manufacturer also released Paffett's onboard footage of the incident.

INSIGHT: Here’s exclusive onboard footage of@GaryPaffett’s#DTMNorisring#Race2incident, courtesy of the DMSB.#DTMpic.twitter.com/4ZbA2hu129— Mercedes-AMG DTM (@MercedesAMGDTM)July 6, 2017

"I have various pains and a few cuts here and there, but in general, I'm still in one piece, which is really good after such an accident," Paffett said. "The medical team at the circuit was really good, and the people at the hospital were amazing. They did scans and X-rays, and everything looked OK. When I told them how fast I was going when I crashed, they were quite shocked. They were quite surprised that I got out of the car without any injuries."

Paffett, who won the DTM crown in 2005, said that the accident felt like it was "never going to stop."

"It was really scary," he said. "I was going wheel-to-wheel with Jamie with the DRS open, and at the end of the straight we touched. As soon as you do that with the DRS open, you're going to lose control, especially on the bumpy surface that you get at the Norisring. At that point, I was just a passenger really.

"I had two hard impacts with the barrier and then later on with Rocky in the corner – it was just really frightening. It felt like it was never going to stop. It kind of went on forever. The car just kept hitting things hard over and over again. So yes, it was pretty scary. Once it stopped, my heart was racing. I had to sit there for a minute and collect my thoughts. After such an impact, you really don't know what has happened."

Paffett escaped the accident with bruising, and will be back in the car for the next round at Moscow Raceway on July 22/23. No return date has been set for Rockenfeller, who suffered a fractured metatarsal in his left foot.