Ayhancan Güven was the target of a storm of criticism after his aggressive maneuvers in the title finale: Now his rival Marco Wittmann has spoken out in defense of the DTM champion.
Two days after the DTM season finale in Hockenheim, with Ayhancan Güven’s controversial overtaking maneuver against Marco Wittmann four corners before the checkered flag, the Schubert BMW driver has spoken out once again. And he now sees the events that earned the Turkish Manthey Porsche driver the title in a slightly different light.
“The last lap was intense and probably the most exciting in the history of the DTM,” writes the two-time champion, who was unable to become champion in the last race himself, on Instagram. “In hindsight, I should have covered the inside more to stay in front and win the race.”
However, he says he “didn’t know at the time that victory was the only way for Ayhancan to become champion. So, of course, he tried – and it was victory or the gravel trap,” he says, showing understanding for his rival’s toughness, especially given the circumstances, who is now facing some below-the-belt comments, particularly on social media.
Wittmann shows understanding for Güven’s tough move
Wittmann now makes it clear that he is fine with Güven’s maneuver in the Sachskurve, when the Porsche driver squeezed past Wittmann on the inside with two wheels off the track. “I’m pretty sure I would have done exactly the same thing in his place,” said the Schubert BMW driver, who finished second in the end.
Immediately after the race, he had said that the move in the Sachskurve was “a bit controversial” and “open to debate.” He said he was “hit from behind, even though I actually slammed the door shut.”
Comparison with legendary duel between Paffett and Glock
Today, however, Wittmann is aware of what a thrilling finale the two delivered and that he too made DTM history with his spectacular overtaking maneuver on the straight in front of the Motodrom.
The spectacular final lap of the race reminded him “very much of the epic battle between Gary Paffett and Timo Glock—I hope we made you both proud with our final lap,” said Wittmann, referring to the legendary duel for victory at the 2018 DTM weekend in Hockenheim.
And he doesn’t miss the opportunity to congratulate Güven on his title. “Congratulations to Ayhancan Güven on winning the 2025 DTM championship title. With five wins and his commitment in the last race and on the last lap, he delivered under pressure – he deserved it!“ He leaves no doubt that he considers the Manthey Porsche driver a worthy champion.
Kelvin van der Linde comments on shitstorm: ”Really frightening”
Wittmann expressed his regret for his teammate, whose title hopes were dashed by the retirement, on the radio immediately after the incident in the first lap, when Rene Rast fell victim to a chain reaction after his duel with Güven, and also encouraged his Schubert team.
“Of course, I feel very sorry for Rene that he was taken out of the race so early,” Wittmann confirmed after the race, which he almost won from 17th on the grid.
Incidentally, he is not the only BMW driver to react to the sometimes harsh comments on social media. Kelvin van der Linde expressed his displeasure with the culture of discussion following Güven’s title win in a private Instagram comment.
“I find it really frightening that nowadays nobody can be happy for anyone else anymore,” wrote the South African.
“No matter what sport: so much envy and negative comments. It’s a shame.” He knows what he’s talking about, because in 2021, the then Abt driver himself was the victim of a shitstorm after the controversial title finale.