Rene Rast's "headache" required critical care after Zandvoort DTM win

Schubert BMW driver Rene Rast hit his head simply earlier than the second DTM race of the Zandvoort weekend, it has been revealed, turning what regarded like a relaxed Sunday drive by means of the dunes right into a feat of energy for his twenty ninth profession DTM victory.

“Sure, I’ve a headache,” confirmed the three-time DTM champion in an interview with ran after the race, although he downplayed the state of affairs: “You actually have to pay attention and hold your ideas collectively, block out the ache. I took two painkillers earlier than the beginning.”

Nevertheless, over the course of the rostrum ceremony, Rast’s signs worsened. He complained of discomfort, dizziness, and even tingling in his fingers. “It was a really troublesome race bodily. I had quite a lot of head ache. Additionally, my fingers are nonetheless tingling, so it wasn’t simple, however yeah, we made it.”

Subsequent race: Le Mans

Following the rostrum ceremony, Rast was initially handled in an ambulance. Nevertheless, as a substitute of attending the press convention, the race winner was taken on to the medical middle for additional examinations of his head and cervical backbone (neck).

As a result of choices on the observe had been restricted, Rast was transferred to a hospital in Haarlem. A CT scan was scheduled there to rule out attainable accidents to the cervical backbone, a BMW spokesperson confirmed to Motorsport.com.

Race winner René Rast, Schubert Motorsport

Picture by: Alexander Trienitz

Motorsport.com understands the incident occurred roughly 10 minutes earlier than the race began, when Rast had gone to make use of the restroom one final time. Whereas stepping over the pitwall, the BMW driver is alleged to have struck his head arduous on the railing.

Even staff principal Torsten Schubert was unaware of the state of affairs: “I didn’t know something till the rostrum. Solely after the rostrum.”

Marco Wittmann, who had even put stress on his BMW team-mate within the closing section of the race, was additionally unaware of Rast’s well being points.

“No, I’m truly stunned, so I’ll undoubtedly verify in to see what’s occurring,” stated the runner-up, who was nonetheless fully at nighttime throughout the press convention: “I didn’t discover him having any issues, so perhaps it occurred throughout the race.”

Following final evening’s examinations, Rast was launched from hospital and is now in a position to make his option to Le Mans, the place he’ll drive the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 alongside Robin Frijns and Sheldon van der Linde within the Hypercar class this week.

“Fast replace: bought launched from hospital this night,” the German wrote on Instagram final evening. “No accidents detected which suggests I’m able to go to Le Mans tomorrow.

“Simply earlier than at this time’s DTM race begin, I hit my head fairly closely which result in some ache and dizziness. The medical staff took precautions and despatched me to a hospital for checks. Higher protected than sorry. Thanks for all of your messages.”