AUDI IS LEAVING the DTM series at the end of the season

In the midst of a crisis over the new coronavirus, the DTM must face an additional problem, which could also be fatal for the future of competition - Audi is for 2021 namely announced the withdrawal from the said series of touring cars. The Board of Directors of Audi AG also officially decided to take this step because of economic challenges, which are the result of a pandemic, and informed the competition management today.

That means now for next year from racing suppliers remain only BMW, which means the end of the competition if those responsible do not find new competitors. Aston Martin left the competition as early as the end of January, making him a team R-Motorsport already then canceled participation in this season.

“At Audi, we co-created the DTM and the DTM had a strong impact on Audi. This proves the role and power of motorsport, not only in technology, but also in the emotional field, " he said in a press release Markus Duesman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company Audi AG.

“With the new energy, we will encourage change to become a provider of sporty and sustainable electromobility. That is why we also focus on competitions that also provide added value in the market for the future. Formula E offers a very attractive platform for this. In addition, we are studying other progressive forms of motor sports for the future of our brand, " he added Duesmann.

2019 was the most successful year for Audi in DTM. Rene Rast won the title among drivers, team Team Rosberg team title, and Audi also celebrated among constructors. Since their first entry into the DTM in 1990, Ingolstadt has won a total of 23 years (1990 to 1992, 2000 to 2019) eleven titles among drivers, seven among the teams and five among the constructors. Audi race cars celebrated 114 victories and won 345 podiums in 310 races.

They wanted more this season upgrade those successes and say goodbye to the DTM and say goodbye to the fans with success title defense on all three fronts. "We hope that the current difficult situation will improve quickly and that we will still be able to drive some races this year," says Audi Development Director, Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler.

According to the latest data, the first race of the DTM series will take place in mid - July at Norrisringu, but most likely before empty stands, as in Germany, larger events with spectators at the facilities themselves are not expected before the end of August, experts say.