Gerhard Berger new president of the DTM

Gerhard Berger has been appointed president of the “Internationalen Tourenwagen Rennen”, the structure in charge of DTM. The former pilot of F1 will take the place of Hans Werner Aufrecht, known to all as the “father of DTM” who remained in place for three decades at the head of the German touring car series.

The 57-year-old Austrian will be able to count on his experience as a driver, having won 10 Grand Prix victories while defending the interests of the Team Ferrari, McLaren or Benetton, but also as team director after having been the sporting director of BMW Williams between 1998 and 2003 then as co-founder of Toro Rosso from 2006 to 2008. He also served as President of the FIA ​​Single-Seater Commission from 2012 to 2014.

“I started my racing career with touring car racing and have always followed the DTM with great interest, commented Gerhard Berger. The DTM is a premium product which has independent regulations and which welcomes major manufacturers, sponsors, partners and a large public. It’s a good starting point that offers great potential for the future. »

“My first objective will be to focus on the details with the support of my colleagues, added the Austrian. We will then use this common basis to put in place a strategy for the future. I am considering other developments for the future by opening up to international partners, particularly with possible new manufacturers, to offer a spectacle that is both sporting and enjoyable. »

If Florian Zitzlsperger retains his position as vice-president at ITR, Hans-Jürgen Abt and Walter Mertes will leave the board of directors. They will nevertheless remain linked to the DTM since the first is none other than the Team Principal of the team of the same name, while the second will always take care of partner relations in addition to the marketing of the F3 European Championship, support discipline of the German Touring Car Championship.