DTM – A “real challenge” for Felix Rosenqvist

The tenure of Esteban Ocon replaces Rio Haryanto at Manor Racing en F1 starting with the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of the month had a domino effect in DTM. In order to replace the young Frenchman in the seat of the Mercedes-AMG C63 from Team ART, the brand with the star logically called on the Swede Felix rosenqvist, Mercedes reserve driver, who succeeded Or with in this position at the start of the season.

The old pilot car, still defending champion in the FIA F3 and former winner of the Macau Grand Prix, is competing this year in the Blancpain GT Series within the French team of Jérôme Policand AKKA-ASP with which he took second place in the last 24 Hours of Spa with his teammates Tristan Vautier and Renger van der Zande.

Performance and status which made the choice of Mercedes easy. “Felix is ​​well prepared having been our test and reserve pilot, explains Ulrich Fritz, head of Mercedes-AMG DTM.

He has accompanied the team since the start of the season, was with them at the physical preparation camp and knows the team members as well as the car. His solid performance at the 24 Hours of Spa also speaks for himself. It was therefore logical that we gave him the opportunity in Moscow to compete in a DTM race weekend. »

Also entered in Indy Lights on the other side of the Atlantic, Felix Rosenqvist knows that the challenge will be significant in the German peloton, but remains confident about his potential performances.

“Getting this opportunity to race in DTM is very exciting for me, confesses the Swede. I have been part of the Mercedes-AMG family for many years, and this has always been one of my main goals.

It's going to be a real challenge to join an incredibly competitive league mid-season, and I know I'll have a lot to learn in a very short space of time. But having been around the team as a reserve driver this season should help ease the transition. »