Interview with Nicki Thiim: Title contender, character and Nürburgring expert

Nicki Thiim heads to the Nürburgring in second place in the standings and as one of the title contenders. For the Aston Martin works driver, the historic circuit in the Eifel region is far more than just the next round in the tight championship battle. Ahead of the sixth round of the season (14–16 August), Thiim talks about his special connection to the Nürburgring, his crucial confidence in the car and how he deals with setbacks.

Nicki, how are you feeling as you head to the Nürburgring? Above all, I’m incredibly happy and proud of what we’ve achieved as a team so far. Comtoyou Racing is a relatively small team and is only in its second DTM season. Nevertheless, we’ve performed almost flawlessly so far. The fact that we’re heading to the Nürburgring in second place in the standings and can even talk about the title is something we’d only dreamed of before the season began. Of course, it’s still too early to dwell on it too much. But one thing is clear: if you’re second in the championship, you’re among the contenders.

What makes the Nürburgring so special? Motorsport is a way of life around the Nürburgring. You only have to visit the small villages in the Eifel. Almost everyone there has some connection to motor racing. The whole region is shaped by motor racing and is known worldwide precisely for that. What’s more, almost all DTM drivers complete more laps there than on any other circuit, because many regularly compete in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and the 24-hour race.

What makes the sprint circuit at the Nürburgring special? The short layout is particularly great for the fans because they get to see the cars very frequently. For us drivers, the circuit is a good mix of tight corners and fast sections. It’s particularly tricky in the Mercedes Arena, because the very first corner determines how you get through the entire first sector right up to the fifth corner. This is followed by a few fast sections and the chicane, which you can really fly through. It looks great on TV and is also a lot of fun in the car. What’s more, the chicane is trickier to navigate because you really have to hit it perfectly. That’s exactly what I love about the DTM: we often drive different circuit layouts to those in many other racing series.

How do you explain your strong season? For me, the answer is relatively simple: I’m finally in a car where I feel right at home. Throughout my entire career, I’ve been desperate to race in the DTM and knew that the first few years would be intense. SSR Performance and Abt Sportsline gave me that opportunity back then, for which I’m very grateful. But I also realised that, as an Aston Martin works driver in a Lamborghini, it would be difficult to compete on equal terms with someone like Mirko Bortolotti. But I’m someone who loves a challenge. I put my name and reputation on the line because I was determined to fulfil my childhood dream of racing in the DTM.

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Why is confidence in the car so crucial? As a racing driver, a lot has to happen instinctively. As soon as you start thinking too much in the car about what might happen in the next corner, you automatically slow down and hold back a little. I know the Aston Martin inside out. That’s exactly the kind of confidence you need in the DTM, because the field is incredibly close. You have to squeeze out those crucial one or two tenths of a second. In qualifying, you sometimes have to push beyond the limit and know exactly how the car will react. Without that feeling, you don’t stand a chance in the DTM.

What do you think of the critics who, before the season, saw you more as an entertainer than a winner? At the end of the day, I don’t care. If you can’t cope with outside opinions and don’t know how to deal with them, there’s no point in even starting. That’s the beauty of sport: at a professional level, a great deal of it takes place in your head. The key thing is to believe in yourself. I’ve also won some major races outside the DTM in recent years, such as the 24 Hours of Spa. But of course, I’m particularly enjoying this DTM season. Now I can show that I’m one of the top drivers.

You’re one of the most distinctive characters in the DTM. Have you always been like that? I grew up at a time when many racing drivers were strong personalities. My father was one of them, as were Roberto Ravaglia, Johnny Cecotto and Nicola Larini. The action films of the 1980s and 1990s also thrived on memorable characters. I’m probably a mix of all these types. I’m happy that at Aston Martin I’m allowed to be exactly as I am. At the same time, I’m delighted that my style goes down well with so many fans.

What are your expectations for the final stages of the title race? Maro Engel has built up a small lead and has been incredibly consistent this year. Whoever is still up there at the front after the Nürburgring will probably be in the running for the title right until the end. I reckon that at the final race, at least three or four drivers will still be in with a chance of winning the championship. At the same time, I’m convinced that we can be right up there at the front again at the Nürburgring.

Your father Kurt knows how to win a DTM title. How is he following the season? My father is delighted by my good races like hardly anyone else. In his day, he was also a crowd favourite in the DTM, though he was a bit more introverted by nature. Typical Scandinavian, really. We chat about lots of things, even though motor racing back then was completely different from today. I’m really pleased that he’ll be at the Nürburgring for the first time this DTM season. My main goal is to be in contention for the title at the finale in Hockenheim and to have him there as a spectator too.

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