Vincent Abril with Mercedes in DTM

Vincent Abrihe will extend his involvement around the fold Mercedes-AMG in 2021, with a new program, a presence en DTM on a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo operated by the Haupt Racing Team.

The Monegasque is already familiar with HRT training to compete in GT World Challenge Europe alongside Maro Engel and Luca Stolz. The German championship will swap the Class 1 regulations for GT3, a category that Abril knows well, who spoke about this new career opportunity.

© DPPI / J. Delfosse

How did this possibility emerge with Mercedes and HRT?

This year, I do not have a program with another brand like in 2020 with Ferrari and Louis Prette (in GT Open). I was then able to speak with Mercedes-AMG and sign an official contract with them. And then DTM came to the table.

I thus integrate the “pool” of pilots with other avenues which could arrive subsequently. The 24 Hours of Spa in the Intercontinental GT Challenge are already confirmed and Kyalami has a good chance of being confirmed, it will depend on the teams that will be on the grid.

What does DTM mean to you?

I wanted to take my career to other horizons and the DTM brings back great memories.

How do you approach this series, with the move to GT3, a category in which you have been competing for many years?

We have spoken with HRT and there should be no specific expectations for the very first races. You shouldn't make any mistakes, because it will be new for everyone. The tires will change, the BoP system will need to be monitored.

The top drivers and teams will still be there, so the level will be present. It's a chance to be at the start of this new era, to be able to make a name for yourself. There will also be the possibility of discovering new circuits.

Does being alone in the car appeal to you?

So far I can't complain because I've always been with great drivers in GT. There were very few compromises to be made. But finding this philosophy of doing things for yourself is interesting. I haven't done it since the Seat Leon Supercopa.

This program will, I think, be beneficial for my sleeves Endurance and this should allow me to improve. Knowing HRT will also help, as will Michelin tires (used in GT Open).

Could we still see you again at 24 Hours of Le Mans ?

This is something that is important but this year I also want to focus on achieving as much as possible with Mercedes. Last year I only did four races in the car. If something else comes along, great, but it's not something I definitely want to go for.

Of course I want to come back to Le Mans, in the context where it is possible to achieve something, in Pro or overall. But doing it for the sake of doing it is not an ultimate goal in 2021. Afterwards, given the promotion of GTD to Pro in IMSA, one might be tempted to think that this will follow in Europe.

Having driven a less restricted GT3, it was almost as fast as a GTE. This proves that a GT3 can be very efficient.