Unfortunate DNF For Mikaël Grenier In Portugal DTM Race 2

GRENIER QUALIFIED 15TH IN Q2 0.510 SECONDS FROM POLE SITTER NICO MÜLLER

When looking at the Q2 results, it shows how competitive this DTM Series is with the first 24 cars within a second. We keep repeating it but it is a reminder that we have high caliber drivers in this series and one of them is Mikaël Grenier.

For Grenier, Race 2 was to be a little harder having to start from midfield. Having qualified in 15th, Mik stood 18th on the starting grid after being penalized for track limits infringement from Race 1. Having been warned on three occasions during the race, the stewards delivered the penalty when he exceeded the track limit for the fourth time with a three place grid penalty.

Upon the green light, all cars spread out and it was a mad dash to cornier 1. Mik was in the middle of the pack but seemed to be in a safe position as he came under braking into turn 1 aiming to stay on an outside line. Unfortunately, contacts happened to his right and Nicky Thiim who was hit by another competitor ran into Mik’s Mercedes AMG and sent him into a spin.

After completing a full 360, Mik kept going. But by the end of lap 1, he was shown down in 25th place. By lap 6, Grenier had gained several positions and was shown in 21st place.

The pit window opened by lap 7 as the leading group started coming in lap after lap. The strategy for Mik was likely to stay out as long as possible before stopping for new tires. He eventually was shown as the leader by lap 19 and with the pit window closing he dove into pitlane on lap 24 with 15 minutes to go in the race.

The team then proceeded to bring the car back to the garage as Mik came in. And that was the end of the race for him.

He was classified 24th.

Surely a disappointing end to a weekend that started outside pole in Q1 with hopes of a podium in Race 1.

The next DTM round is set for May 20-22 at Lausitzring

Image: AMG Motorsport / Gruppe C Photography