René Rast emerged very much unharmed after a significant impact that saw the current defending Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters champion retire from the first race of the weekend at Eurospeedway Lausitz.
The Team Rosberg driver, who is currently 12th in the drivers’ standings on ten points, had the slightest of contact with Ingolstadt stablemate Loïc Duval just moments after the first Safety Car restart.
“I’m very good actually,” admitted Rast in an interview after post-medical checks, with the German adding that he did not feel any after-effects from the crash.
“It was a very soft landing, and just my right elbow hurts a little bit. I’m very happy to still be in good condition.”
As a result of the impact between the pair, Duval also promptly retired his car from the race afterwards.
“There’s no shock feeling for me,” continued the 31-year-old, who jumped out of the car, after having stuck both thumbs up out of where the roof of his Audi RS5 DTM would have been pre-impact.
“I immediately knew that everything was okay, and that’s the most important thing.”
Rast was taken to the local medical centre post-incident, and was discharged promptly.