– Since the Norisring weekend, Timo Glock, who is experiencing a crisis with the McLaren-Team Dörr in the DTM, has been receiving mental support from Timo Scheider: The two-time DTM champion is Glock’s best friend in the paddock – and wants to be there for the 44-year-old veteran in the difficult situation.
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“Timo has had one and a half ultra-frustrating years,” says Scheider. “When he called me, it was clear to me that I would come and offer him an open ear, because I’ve been through something like this myself.” But how does Scheider internally experience the unequal situation, where Glock goes from problem to problem and can’t get up to speed, while the fast youngster Ben Dörr hardly encounters any difficulties?
“I can confirm that it’s not just the spacer between the steering wheel and the seat – let’s put it that way,” says Scheider with a smile. “I’ve seen data that explains to me why the speed is missing at the end of the straights, something Timo currently can’t change at all.”
“Timo can drive as well as he wants, his hands are tied”
Scheider’s statement is consistent with the top speed data in the official documents, which show that Ben Dörr was between 2.38 and 4.85 km/h faster than Glock in all sessions on race days. “Timo can drive in circles as well as he wants – his hands are tied,” the ex-champion is convinced.
Scheider does not want to diminish the performance of Ben Dörr, who secured the first DTM victory for McLaren and the Dörr team at the Lausitzring. “Ben is doing a great job and has developed wonderfully,” Scheider has no doubt. “I sat in the car with him at the 24-hour race and have great respect for his approach.”
“But next to him is Timo, who has driven everything up to Formula 1, and whose car – apart from the performance – actually keeps breaking down, which is why he can’t finish races. One has to ask the question: Why is it like that for one and not for the other?”
How Scheider explains the imbalance in the team
After numerous problems with Glock’s car in the first races of the season, Glock also had to accept a technical retirement on Saturday at the Norisring. “I see that the mechanics are trying everything to prepare the car as best as possible, but then things happen like the oil cooler line not being properly secured – and the car loses oil in the middle of the race and has to be stopped under the red flag. It can’t be that he’s having so much bad luck again.”
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While Glock has repeatedly experienced problems this season, in addition to three technical retirements, teammate Dörr has not retired due to a defect at all. But does Scheider have an explanation for the imbalance? “I don’t want to accuse the team of anything, because it’s in their interest to perform as well as possible with both drivers,” Scheider clarifies.
“That’s why I do believe they are trying, but I also believe that the team is not yet perfectly staffed in all positions. They are well-staffed in some positions, but to perfectly deploy two cars and reach an absolute top level to compete at the very front in DTM, it takes quite a bit.”
“I myself have experienced moments where pressure builds up”
According to Scheider, all these factors also affect the driver’s performance. “If you get less driving time in practice due to a problem and then are supposed to perform in qualifying, you’re simply missing three, four, five tenths,” he says. “That’s completely normal if you can’t prepare your own car 100 percent.”
Apart from that, it does something to you when problems constantly arise and results fail to materialize. “I myself have had moments in motorsport that weren’t pleasant and where pressure slowly builds up internally in such a team,” he reveals. “If you’re not where you see yourself in terms of performance, you first start working on yourself, comparing setups, and questioning yourself.”
This also applies to the crew, as the constant breakdowns create uncertainty. An early success experience is all the more important. “Timo also needs a moment for his mind, for things to click, he just wants to have fun again.”
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And that’s exactly what Scheider wishes for his friend. “As a person, I would wish it for him, because he is one of the few true characters. And – as we say here – a ‘straightforward guy’. He says what’s on his mind and what’s in his heart. I would also wish it for the series and the team, that an answer can be found and all involved parties can be made happy again.”
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