Coming into the DTM Series round at the Moscow Raceway there was many doubts as to whether Mike Rockenfeller would actually be able to take part.
Audi even drafted in McLaren Young Driver and Rapax FIA Formula 2 driver Nyck de Vries to be on standby in case Rockenfeller was not deemed fit to race.
Due to his injury, Rockenfeller had limited usage of his left foot which meant he had to adapt his driving style and switch to right-foot braking which was not the most simplest of tasks in his DTM machinery.
“This isn’t so easy in the DTM,” said Rockenfeller.
The Audi driver started second on the grid, alongside team-mate Rene Rast following Marco Wittmann‘s demotion from pole position.
Following his 36G crash at the Norisring, Rockenfeller’s Team Phoenix car had to be rebuilt and his second place finish the perfect reward to thank his team for the hard work they put in.
“For my mechanics and me, today is a great day. They worked so hard to put the car together again after the Norisring and I think that there weren’t a lot of people expecting us to manage this here. That makes me all the prouder of my team.”
Rockenfeller took full advantage of his second place spot on the grid to come home in the same position, just 0.770 seconds behind Rast.
Sunday did not go as well for Rockenfeller, despite a chaotic race, after starting from 14th place 12th was the maximum Rockenfeller could get out of the race.
