Nicki Thiim praised Comtoyou Racing’s development after finishing second in an intense DTM Race 2 at the Lausitzring. The Aston Martin driver applied heavy pressure to Matteo Cairoli during the closing laps but could not find a safe opportunity to take the lead. Cairoli held on by just 0.413 seconds to claim his second victory of the 2026 season and move to the top of the championship standings.
Thiim’s result delivered Comtoyou Racing its first podium with Aston Martin. It also provided a positive response to the disappointment of Saturday’s race, when the team had started from pole before losing the chance to fight for victory.
Thiim pushed to the limit during late fight with Cairoli at DTM Race 2 at the Lausitzring
Thiim spent the final part of the race closing rapidly on Cairoli after extending his second stint and fitting fresher tyres later than his rivals. The strategy allowed him to rejoin ahead of Arjun Maini before he began reducing Cairoli’s advantage. With the Ferrari’s tyres fading, Thiim moved onto the leader’s rear bumper and remained within striking distance until the chequered flag.
However, the Dane believed an overtaking attempt would have carried too much risk. Although he had the pace to challenge, he prioritised securing second place rather than forcing a move which could have ended both drivers’ races. With the season still at an early stage, Thiim felt the championship points mattered more than taking an unnecessary gamble. He expected the battles to become more aggressive later in the campaign if the pair remained involved in the title fight.
Thiim also explained that Comtoyou had entered the race aware of its tyre disadvantage. He therefore drove at the limit throughout and relied on two strong pit stops to remain in contention.
“Again, thanks to all for an amazing race with you guys. The two Fords and the Ferrari. To be honest I can’t remember much from the middle of the race till now. The whole Danish guy and the whole equipment was just running hot. Just running on adrenaline in the end. Of course I was pushing all the way through. We had a tired disadvantage today, which we knew. So I was literally flat out all the way. So it was a big struggle. But the boys got two really good pit stops.”
“And I have to say, on Friday we worked a lot on the heat. So we could see today that the car was really working well at the end of the stints. But yeah, it was not enough to really go for the move. It’s too early in the season to start a fight and start hitting each other. We wait until that later in the season. If we fight for the championship right now, I just really need the points. As you said, really proud of the first podium with the family. Aston Martin and Comtoyou.”
Friday preparations helped Aston Martin manage its tyres
Comtoyou had placed considerable focus on improving the Aston Martin’s performance in hot conditions during Friday practice. That work became particularly important during DTM Race 2 at the Lausitzring for Thiim, as the high temperatures placed additional pressure on the tyres and drivers. Thiim felt the changes helped the car remain competitive towards the end of each stint, allowing him to attack when several rivals began to struggle.
His later final stop gave him a tyre advantage over Cairoli in the closing stages. Nevertheless, the combination of turbulent air, high temperatures and the limited overtaking opportunities made a successful move difficult. Thiim believed there had always been a possibility of taking the lead, but the potential reward did not justify the risk. He instead secured a valuable runner-up finish for a team which had worked throughout the weekend to improve its pit stops, strategy and overall execution.
“Yeah, really a big boost for this small Belgian group we have working with Aston Martin. We really are just a small family versus some of the other teams around. I’m really proud of the boys improving on the pitstops and strategy. Understanding the work with the engineer. What a rollercoaster of a weekend. Obviously, with the pole yesterday, it was a perfect race up until then. Maybe we got the win stolen, but I think that boosted us a little bit for today. Because we wanted to show the people that we could do it and we just had a really good package.”
Thiim avoided calling the result revenge
Thiim did not view Sunday’s podium as revenge for the events of the previous race. He acknowledged that difficult decisions could leave one driver or team on the wrong side of an outcome, but accepted those moments as part of motorsport. Instead of focusing on the previous disappointment, he took encouragement from the Aston Martin’s improved pace.
For Thiim, proving that the car could fight for victories carried almost as much importance as standing on the top step. The performance gave the mechanics and engineers confidence that their work had started to produce results. He also took pride in delivering Comtoyou and Aston Martin their first podium together. Although victory remained the ultimate target, the runner-up finish represented another significant stage in the partnership’s development.
“I mean like revenge is probably the wrong word. We are all humans. I know Sven is doing everything he feels is right. He got enough experience. It’s always hard when you are the one getting the bad end of things. Yeah. But it is what it is. I’m just happy that we have, obviously, the pace in the car now is really a big boost for the boys. So that’s as important as the victory, obviously. It will be a nice first podium for us to stand on the top step. But that’s how it is.”
Extreme heat added to the physical challenge
The high temperatures made the race particularly demanding for Thiim. Although the Aston Martin featured an air-conditioning system, he felt it provided little relief inside the cockpit. The combination of heat, physical effort and adrenaline left him exhausted after the race.
Thiim had pushed throughout both stints and continued driving at the limit during his pursuit of Cairoli. The intensity of the final laps added to the physical strain as he searched for an opportunity without placing the podium result in danger. Despite missing out on victory by less than half a second, Thiim left the Lausitzring encouraged by Comtoyou’s progress and the Aston Martin’s ability to challenge at the front.
Cairoli departed with the championship lead after moving onto 78 points, one ahead of Lucas Auer. Thiim, meanwhile, secured an important result for Comtoyou as the team continued its pursuit of a maiden DTM victory.
“Again, we had high mileage as well. We just really focused on having a good car and a seat. As we knew, we would have a massive tyre drop. Yeah, there’s always a chance. But with our risk it’s not there. And it’s too early to do that. Obviously, when you come so close, everything is running hot. So the engine breaks. So it’s really too high-risk movement. As I said before, it’s just more important for me to secure the second place for the team and the boys which deserve it.”
“There is air conditioning, but I don’t feel it’s working. I was knocking on it, but nothing. No cold air was coming out. But again, it’s as much the adrenaline. Us guys just pushing like crazy. So it’s the heat and obviously the adrenaline just giving us this heat stroke right now.”
