Some of Liam Lawson’s DTM rivals were left unimpressed with the young Kiwi after the latest round at the Nürburgring.
Kelvin van der Linde and Mike Rockenfeller saw their day end early in the second race due to a multi-car crash at the final chicane.
Lawson was squeezed to the edge of the track before lunging up the inside of van der Linde.
The two collided and Rockenfeller was also spun around in the commotion.
Lawson was dealt a drive-through penalty for his role in the accident.
He says the move was an instinct caused by van der Linde leaving an open space up the inside.
“I tried the manoeuvre because he left the door open,” Lawson said.
“It wasn’t on purpose, I just saw an opening and wanted to take advantage of it.”
However, van der Linde and Rockenfeller accused Lawson of being overly eager with his overtake, which unnecessarily ended their race.
“I don’t know what [Lawson] wants,” van der Linde told German TV.
“His race is screwed anyway; and then he comes driving across the meadow with three cars side-by-side. I have no idea.”
Rockenfeller reiterated van der Linde’s comments but suggested Lawson’s will learn not to repeat the same mistake.
“Lawson, in my opinion, is really losing his mind,” Rockenfeller said.
“I don’t know what he is smoking. He is so aggressive everywhere, and, in the end, he took both of us out.
“I have to see the picture, but for Kelvin and myself, we had it clear for the chicane, and I think Lawson tried something you cannot try.
“But he will learn from it.”
Lawson was scoreless from the weekend and consequently dropped to fifth in the driver’s standings.
DTM’s next round is at the Red Bull Ring on September 4-5.
