Ogier invited for Red Bull Ring race with Mercedes

The rumor, disclosed by CARhebdo in its n°2176, has therefore transformed into reality. “A rumor spread, but it was just for fun”, assured Sébastien Ogier to the special envoy ofCARhebdo in Finland at the end of July. The Frenchman will actually make his debut in the German Touring Championship (DTM) during the trip on the Red Bull Ring (Austria), September 22 and 23, a week after the rally from Turkey.

It's happening! Welcome to the @DTM, @SebOgier! #HiSeb pic.twitter.com/dBlW1U6LJD

— Mercedes-AMG DTM (@MercedesAMGDTM) August 7, 2018

The five-time world rally champion (WRC) will be covered by the official German team and will drive a C63 DTM. To prepare for this first entry on the circuit, the rally driver is taking part in two days of private testing near Vallelunga (Italy) on Wednesday and Thursday.

“It’s a very exciting experience, rejoices the Gapençais. The DTM is something completely new for me, but I try to learn as much as possible every lap. I see this race as an opportunity to broaden my horizons in motorsport and gain more experience. »

The pilot M-Sport Ford en WRC does not, however, expect to tease the discipline's credentials. “Of course, we are not going to be competitive from the start as a guest driver. I expected a difficult first weekend at Spielberg, where the objective will be to keep in contact with the other competitors for as long as possible. »

Sébastien Ogier has already driven a DTM twice. The first time was in 2013 during a marketing operation with Audi on the Nürburgring. More recently, he was discreetly invited by Mercedes for a session at the beginning of July. An excellent way for the German manufacturer to pay a publicity stunt a few months before the end of his involvement in DTM.