DTM – BMW campaigns for the implementation of Class One

The withdrawal at the end of the year Mercedes du DTM at the end of 2018 places the discipline in a delicate situation. After reducing the grid this year, the organizers will only have BMW and Audi available from 2019. The propeller manufacturer has nevertheless reaffirmed its commitment to the German Touring Car Championship.

“After the announcement of Mercedes' departure from the DTM at the end of 2018, we promised the public that we would fight for the future of the discipline, comments Jens Marquardt, BMW sporting director. We work hard for this. We are involved in active discussions with Gerhard Berger, the president of ITR (promoter of the DTM), and with the manufacturers to develop a viable concept for the future, to keep the DTM as an attractive and innovative platform in order to continue to offering spectators a very competitive environment. »

BMW is campaigning for the rapid implementation of the Class One while Mercedes had requested a postponement of the introduction of the 2l 4-cylinder engine to 2019. This concept would make it possible to have a common platform with the Super GT which has already adopted this model.

“We support the introduction of Class One and are ready to equip DTM cars with more efficient and powerful 4-cylinder turbo engines by reducing aero, continues Jens Marquardt. This would open the door for a standard and global regulation and allow the DTM to evolve with the same technical foundations as the Super GT cars for example. »

“This concept would secure the future of the DTM by opening it to the international market and perhaps make the platform more attractive. We would be delighted to welcome other manufacturers to the discipline”, concludes Jens Marquardt.