11.07.2025
Reading time: 1 min

DTM controversy: Emil Frey Racing suspects illegal tire heating

Jimmy Dong
Jimmy Dong
DTM controversy: Emil Frey Racing suspects illegal tire heating

According to Motorsport.com, Emil Frey Racing boss Jurg Flach has raised suspicions that rival DTM teams are conducting illegal tire heating — a practice banned in the German championship to save energy and costs.

The concerns emerged after the Norisring race, where Manthey Porsche driver Thomas Preining demonstrated exceptionally strong outlap performance to defeat Emil Frey drivers Jack Aitken and Thierry Vermeulen who finished second and third respectively.

“It’s somewhat controversial, because some of them appear to not be running on cold tires,” stated Flach. “We know our car isn’t actually bad in warm-up, so this makes us wonder.”

Data shows significant differences — Preining recorded a time of 1m17.444s while Aitken managed 1m20.764s after the second pit stop. In another instance, Vermeulen lost position to Maro Engel immediately after leaving the pits during Saturday’s race.

Responding to the allegations, Manthey managing director Nicolas Raeder stated his team remains relaxed and invited Flach to inspect their cars with an infrared imaging camera before pit stops.