Touring Cars

22nd March 20173rd July 2017

Gerhard Berger Is New DTM Boss

In an attempt to improve the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, series‘ governing body is under restructuration and appointed Gerhard Berger as its new boss.

Former Formula 1 driver and team co-owner Berger will replace Hans Werner Aufrecht, who led ITR for over 30 years. The Austrian will return to the managerial role for the first time since he left the FIA single-seater commission at the end of 2014.

Commenting on his new role, Berger said: “I started my motor-racing career in touring car racing and always followed DTM with a lot of interest. DTM is a top-class product with independent, powerful regulations, with strong manufacturers, top sponsors, important international partnerships and many fans.

This is a good starting point with great potential for the future. The first task I will focus on in the coming weeks is gaining a deeper insight into the details with the support of my colleagues. We will then use this strong basis for creating a joint strategy for the future. While doing so, I consider the further development of our international partnerships – also with regards to new manufacturers –, spectacular racing cars that also command the drivers’ respect as well as a format combining both sport and entertainment as particularly important”.

Although Berger himself ran in only one DTM race (8th place in Zolder 1985), he is connected to the series through his nephew Lucas Auer who will spend his third season as a Mercedes-AMG driver this year.

Tomasz Kubiak

Twitter: @tomekkubiak

20th March 20173rd July 2017

DTM – Vallelunga Test

DTM teams completed three-day test at Vallelunga.

All three manufacturers of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters came to Vallelunga for a three-day test. It was the first time the cars were present in the fully homologated 2017 spec.

Audi Sport brought to Italy Mattias Ekström and Jamie Green. It was Ekström who gave the new RS 5 DTM first public laps and was very pleased with the experience:

“We tried out a lot of different things: short stints, long runs, qualifying simulations and many different set-up variants. The new DTM cars are definitely more demanding in terms of driving skills. Plus, finding a perfect set-up compromise for the softer tires and the changed aerodynamics is a great challenge. The season is going to be packed with excitement for sure!” Ekstrom commented.

Both Audi drivers covered 2121 kilometres between them.

Mercedes-AMG’s drivers Robert Wickens, Gary Paffett and Edoardo Mortara posted 518 laps between them, equating to 2116 km. The Stuttgart brand focused mainly on a better understanding of the new-for-2017 softer compound tyres from series’ supplier Hankook.

Head of the Mercedes-AMG’s programme Ulrich Fritz commented:

“The hard work has paid off so far with plenty of kilometres posted and data collected during two successful weeks of testing. Still, our work is far from over. We must now evaluate all the info, especially with regard to the new generation of tyres, and draw the right conclusions before final testing in Hockenheim.”

BMW Motorsport decided not to share much information about their participation in testing. The Bavarian brand brought to the track Maxime Martin and Tom Blomqvist, who are understood to have spent the three days understanding the behaviour of the new M4 DTM, which under the new rules was given more power and less downforce than its predecessor.

The last round of collective testing will take place in Hockenheim on 3-6 April. The same track will host the season opener on 6-7 May.

Tomasz Kubiak

Twitter: @tomekkubiak

18th March 201726th June 2017

BTCC 2017 – Rubbing Is Racing!

It’s almost time to set the grid for the first qualifying round of the year and then wait for lights out on the Sunday. Yes, that’s right, BTCC is back! And it’s looking better than ever. But what should you be watching out for?

(c) Halfords Yuasa Racing – Gordon Shedden

–

This year sees a jam-packed grid of 32 drivers. 16 of which are already race winners in the series. This is by far the strongest field we have seen for a long time on the touring car scene. Between the winning drivers they share a breath-taking 329 victories! So prepare for the races to be hard fought and the action to be closer than ever. Will we see a runaway favourite for the championship or will we get a thriller that goes down to the wire?

Something that is for certain is that we can absolutely rely on the fireworks between Jason Plato and Matt Neal. Their fights in touring cars have become stuff of legend, epic championship battles, brutal overtakes on track and even the odd bit of confrontation in the paddock area. The Subaru of Plato is now in its second year and will be keen to show that it is the right car for the job.

(c) West Surrey Racing- Colin Turkington

Honda and Team Dynamics always seem to get stronger every year, no matter whether they are running a Civic tourer or the classic hatchback. BTCC isn’t just about those two though, oh no. Ask Collin Turkington, Gordon Shedden, Tom Ingram and the returning Tom Chilton. All just as eager to provide the action on race day and walk away with the silverware.

Speaking of Chilton, he hasn’t returned alone to the BTCC, Vauxhall are back as a works team. Partnering up with Power Maxed racing in the new Astra. The car looked resplendent today at Donnington, standing out in the white, black and yellow livery. West Surrey racing also have something to smile about as they managed to bag a works deal with BMW. With the main man Turkington back in the driving seat they will be battling hard to reclaim the title after coming so close with Sam Tordoff last year. It’s the same car with new faces over at Triple eight, Árón Taylor-Smith and Daniel Lloyd will front the charge in the MG’s.

(c) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo – Mat Jackson

My dark horse for this year though has to be Mat Jackson in the Motorbase Ford Focus. If they can get the car to perform in the early rounds then they will stand much more of a chance of having a shot at the title. Something that hasn’t really happened for the last few years. But no doubt they will be there or there about.

Whatever happens this year I can guarantee we will have a cracker of a season. Expect the racing to be heated right from lights out at Brands Hatch indy all the way through to the finale when they return to face the GP circuit. So, who’s ready?

Mitch Oakley

16th March 20171st August 2017

BTCC Entry List Announced

Today was the day the drivers and teams gathered at Donington Park for the BTCC media day. Smiling faces and an air of anticipation swept across the circuit as a 32 car grid was confirmed for what is by far the most exciting and action packed touring car series on the planet.

Gordon Shedden has again confirmed that he will not be carrying the defending champion #1 and will instead stick with his #52. He is on course to equal the record of Andy Rouse this season with four titles, but with a grid so full of experience, talent and young enthusiasm it is going to be a big ask.

BTCC is coming…….Are you ready?

Here is the full grid for the 2017 BTCC season:

Tom Chilton

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

Mat Jackson

Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo

Ford Focus

Colin Turkington

Team BMW

BMW 125i M-Sport

Rob Collard

Team BMW

BMW 125i M-Sport

Stephen Jelley

Racing with Maximum Motorsport

Ford Focus

#10

Ant Whorton-Eales

AMD Tuning

Audi S1

#11

Rob Austin

Handy Motorsport

Toyota Avensis

#12

Mike Epps

Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing

Volkswagen CC

#16

Aiden Moffat

Laser Tools Racing

Mercedes Benz A-Class

#17

Dave Newsham

BTC Norlin Racing

Chevrolet Cruze

#18

Senna Proctor

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

#20

James Cole

Adrian Flux BMR Racing

Subaru Levorg

#22

Chris Smiley

BTC Norin Racin

Chevrolet Cruze

#23

Daniel Lloyd

MG Racing/RCIB Insurance

MG6 GT

#24

Jake Hill

TAG Racing

Volkswagen CC

#25

Matt Neal

Halfords Yuasa Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#28

Josh Price

BMR Racing Academy

Subaru Levorg

#30

Martin Depper

Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo

Ford Focus

#31

Jack Goff

Eurotech Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#33

Adam Morgan

Ciceley Motorsport with MAC Tools

Mercedes Benz A-Class

#40

Aron Taylor-Smith

MG Racing/RCIB Insurance

MG6 GT

#48

Ollie Jackson

AMD Tuning

Audi S1

#52

Gordon Shedden

Halfords Yuasa Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#55

Jeff Smith

Eurotech Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#61

Will Burns

Autoaid/RCIB Insurance

Volkswagen CC

#66

Josh Cook

Team Parker Racing with Maximum Motorsport

Ford Focus

#77

Andrew Jordan

BMW Pirtek Racing

BMW 125i M-Sport

#80

Tom Ingram

Speedworks Motorsport

Toyota Avensis

#99

Jason Plato

Adrian Flux BMR Racing

Subaru Levorg

#116

Ashley Sutton

Adrian Flux BMR Racing

Subaru Levorg

#300

Luke Davenport

Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo

Ford Focus

#303

Matt Simpson

Simpson Racing

Honda Civic Type R

See you at the chequered flag

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

12th March 20171st August 2017

Josh Files Crowned TCR Middle East Champion

Jost Files took no prisoners at Bahrain International Circuit: with an authoritative double win at the wheel of the Lap57 Honda Civic, he secured the first edition of the TCR Middle East Series’s title. The Brit also becomes the first driver to have two different TCR titles under this belt, adding this one to that of TCR Germany won last year.

Liqui Moly Team Enstler took the Teams’ honours, but there was some disappointment among the German team’s members, as Brandon Gdovic missed the title by only 5 points. The American collected two nice second positions, but it was not enough. Luca Engstler, who also was in contention to win the tile, was third in Race 1, but had to retire in Race 2 with a broken driveshaft.

Italy’s 16-year-old Giacomo Altoè continued his steady learning process and took good results (one fourth and one third) at the wheel of Team Engstler’s third Volkswagen Golf. The Mulsanne Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta of Davit Kajaia also proved fast, but lacked reliability and could not finish in any of the races.

The Bahrain event was a successful ending to the first edition of the TCR Middle Series, which has attracted great interest in the region.

Race 1 – Files’ win paves the way to exciting finale

The first edition of the TCR Middle East Series will live this afternoon a breath-taking Race 2, as three drivers will go into it fighting for the title and being split by only 5 points.

By clinching an authoritative win in Race 1, Josh Files, at the wheel of the Lap57 Honda Civic, has reduced to 2 points his gap from the series leader Brandon Gdovic, who took a last-lap second place from his Liqui Moly Team Engstler’s teammate Luca Engstler, now third in the standings, but only 5 points behind Gdovic.

Race 1: in an unusually cloudy morning at Bahrain International Circuit, delivered a first big surprise even before the start, as the Mulsanne Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta of Davit Kajaia, had to pull out from the first row of the grid with a broken driveshaft.

Files took the lead from the start and built progressively a sufficient gap, although his race was far from easy: “It was a very hard race on the tyres”, explained the Brit,“there is nothing left of them and in the final laps, I had no grip, no traction, no nothing.”

Luca Engstler led the charge of the Golf cars for the entire race, but his efforts took a toll on his tyres; in the last lap, Brandon Gdovic, who had adopted a more conservative approach with regard to tyre consumption, was able to pass the young German for second. Both drivers admitted there was nothing to do against the Honda in this first race of the day.

Giacomo Altoè, on the third car of Liqui Moly Team Engstler, had to stop in the penultimate lap after a sudden drop of power, which ruined an otherwise consistent race.

Race 2 – Files secures title with another win

Josh Files was crowned the first TCR Middle East Series champion. The British driver of the Lap 57 Honda Civic left no chances to his opponents by winning also an eventful Race 2.

Both Luca Engstler (Liqui Moly Team Engstler Volkswagen Golf) and Davit Kajaia (Mulsanne Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta) tried hard to challenge Josh, but both had to retire, leaving the podium to the other pair of Liqui Moly Team Engstler drivers, Brandon Gdovic and Giacomo Altoè, who ran together the entire race, and secured the Teams’ title for the German squad.

Altoè, pole sitter on the reversed grid, almost stalled at the start, which saw some drops of rain, and Files overtook everybody before first corner to take the lead, with Kajaia keeping second only for a few corners, as he got passed by Engstler before the end of first lap. The group remained quite compact until Engstler suddenly slowed down (lap 4) and had to stop on the straight, prompting the safety car to be deployed.

The race resumed on lap 8, becoming a double battle between Files and Kajaia on one hand and Gdovic and Altoè on the other, but progressively, Files managed to pull away up to the chequered flag, while Kajaia stopped in the pits on lap 19, with severe understeer. Gdovic and Altoè finished their duel in the same order to complete the podium.

Quotes from the podium finishers in both races:

Josh Files (1st in both races): “It’s great to take the championship with a double win. Things may look easy from the outside, but they were not. The entire weekend was about tyres, and I am very happy that we took the decision to save new tyres for the races. In both, the tyres were completely dead at the end. Otherwise, the car performed very well, although we could never solve the misfiring problem we had throughout the weekend.”

Brandon Gdovic (2nd in both races): “It has been a frustrating weekend for me. We were able to improve the behaviour of the car and I am happy of the way I managed the tyres, but the Honda was absolutely unreachable.”

Lucas Engstler (3rd in Race 1): “I am quite disappointed. Not only there was nothing we could do against the Honda, but I also had twice a broken driveshaft, in Qualifying and in Race 2 and this also penalized me a lot.”

Giacomo Altoè (3rd in Race 2): “It was a positive weekend and I learnt a lot. I am relatively satisfied with my performance and of having being able to keep the pace of my team mate Gdovic in both races. It’s just a pity I made such a silly mistake at the start of Race 2, when I released to quickly the clutch and almost stalled.”

See you at the chequered flag.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

Images courtesy of TCR Media (c)

24th February 20173rd July 2017

DTM Test

All three Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters manufacturers were present in Algarve for the last collective testing before the cars have to be submitted to homologation on March 1.

Audi Sport brought their former champion Mattias Ekström to perform the initial shakedown, before handing the RS 5 DTM to Loïc Duval and René Rast, both new full-season drivers in the series and Jamie Green, who took the car for the final of three days.

Mercedes-AMG also had a mix of experienced drivers and new signings. The Stuttgart-based brand focused on completing as many laps as possible with Gary Paffett, Paul di Resta and Audi refugee Edoardo Mortara. The three drivers together crossed the finish line 438 times.

BMW Motorsport was the only manufacturer to have only two drivers with Augusto Farfus and reigning series champion Marco Wittmann sharing the driving duties. The München-based squad focussed on getting to know the new for 2017 tyres which are much softer, as an effect of a tyre warmers ban.

The sessions were not timed and it is understood that not all cars were in their full 2017 trims.

This will change for the next collective test, which will take place in Italian Vallelunga on March 14-17.

Tomasz Kubiak

Twitter: @tomekkubiak

15th February 20173rd July 2017

Audi To Utilize 3 Teams

Audi will utilize three existing teams in DTM.

Audi is the last Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters manufacturer to announce their team structure for the 2017 season.

For the first time since 2011, the DTM field will consist of only 18 cars, which comes as a result of an agreement between competing brands to run six cars each, instead of eight. While BMW and Mercedes-AMG took the opportunity to reduce the number of their teams to two and one respectively, Audi decided to keep all its existing outfits in place.

That move was possible as Hans-Jürgen Abt’s Team Abt Sportsline, which used to run four cars, will scale down its programme to two cars, in order to keep in line with Team Phoenix and Team Rosberg.

Each full-time 2016 driver will remain with their existing teams. Therefore, Mattias Ekström and Nico Müller will form the Abt squad, while Jamie Green and Mike Rockenfeller will lead Rosberg and Phoenix respectively. As for rookie goes, Loïc Duval will join Team Phoenix while René Rast will switch to Team Rosberg for his first full-season ride.

Rast and Duval also announced their race numbers – the German decided not to retain the #72 he used for a few races last year and chose to race with #33 while the French opted for #77.

Tomasz Kubiak

Twitter: @tomekkubiak

5th February 20171st August 2017

BTCC Latest

Race winner Stephen Jelley will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this season, driving a Team Parker Racing Ford Focus ST after a seven-year sabbatical.

The Leicester driver contested two seasons of the BTCC in a WSR BMW 320si in 2008 and 2009, and took two victories, both at Rockingham.

Since then, Jelley has competed in GTs and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Jelley drove for Stuart Parker’s team in the Porsche contest last year and was fifth in the standings.

He will return to the tin-top top flight in the car previously used by Alex Martin.

Jelley said: “It was always my aim to come back to the BTCC – I didn’t want to leave, but the finances weren’t there.

“Team Parker Racing can have a long future in this category and I want a long future here too, so we are looking to build together. I haven’t raced a front-wheel-drive car before so there will be a big test programme ahead of the season to get me up to speed.

“As for my aims, I will wait to see where we are after the opening sessions before we can make a realistic assessment. We are just going to focus on our own performance first and foremost.”

Team boss Stuart Parker said: “We are thrilled to have Stephen with us – he has driven for the team for four seasons in the Porsche Carrera Cup in his career and he is part of the fixtures and fittings at the squad.

“We have had two great years with Alex, who was learning all the time. Stephen is a proven race winner at this level and, although he will be getting to grips with front-wheel-drive for the first time, he can help us move forward.

“If we can be challenging inside the top ten, and then who knows what can happen with the reverse-grid draw. This will be an exciting year for us.”

BRDC Rising Star Jake Hill will race a Team HARD-entered VW Passat CC in this year’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, the Kent-based racer targeting regular points finishes, and to build on his impressive 2016 campaign.

Hill made a strong impression on fans, media and his fellow competitors, taking his Toyota Avensis into the top ten on seven occasions with a best result of fifth place at Silverstone, and is excited at the prospect of putting his first years’ experience to good use.

“It’s fantastic to know I will be back with the team and continuing my journey with them,” said the 22-year-old. “I am hugely grateful to Tony (Gilham), RCIB Insurance, AutoAid Breakdown and TAG Industries for working to get me back on board for this season, and equally have some incredible support from Sportif Motor Group, Brisky Racing and are delighted to welcome our new partners Rolec Electrical and Mechanical Services.

“Last season I learned a huge amount and felt we made some strong progress. We worked really well as a team, and it’s really significant having continuity with the crew and the partners. It’s great to be racing the Passat CC, with the latest RML equipment, as I think it will be strong at lots of circuits. The aim is to get points regularly, try and qualify well and be in the mix at every event. We are all hugely ambitious, and both Mike (Epps) and Will (Burns) will be quick so I’m sure we will all push each other hard all season.”

Hill hopes to be testing the revitalised Passat soon and has his focus on arriving at the Season Launch in Donington Park on March 16th in the best possible shape for 2017.

“I am working hard to make sure I am ready, and we aim to get to Donington in March in great shape and hopefully competitive from the outset,” he concluded. “It’s going to be really tough and unpredictable but this year I have 30 races under my belt and that counts for a lot. It’s my birthday next month but I feel I have got a pretty special early present! Can’t wait!”

“Jake was really strong last year and got the absolute maximum from the car,” said Team Principal Tony Gilham. “The team worked really well with him and with the new cars I’m confident all three of our drivers will be in the mix. All of our partners are delighted to have Jake back to continue the progress with us.”

Look out for some new and exciting initiatives to come from Jake and Team HARD. throughout the season, including the opportunity to drive the NGTC Toyota Avensis as driven by Jake in the 2016 BTCC Championship in full race trim.

Eurotech Racing has announced that Jack Goff will be joining the squad for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Goff will partner Jeff Smith in the team’s second Honda Civic Type R.

“We are delighted to have been able to put together a deal with Jack,” said Eurotech Team Principal Jeff Smith. “We have been in talks with many drivers over the winter which has been a long process, but we wanted to get it right. Our aim was always to put a talented young gun in to the second seat which we have undoubtedly managed to achieve with Jack.

“We have been impressed with the performance and professionalism he has shown over the past few seasons in the BTCC and are confident that Jack’s race craft combined with our Type R will be a force to be reckoned with. We know our cars are capable of winning the Championship and with Jack’s proven ability we are confident this is an achievable goal. We have a comprehensive pre-season testing programme in place and will hit the ground running, from the first round at Brands Hatch – we intend to be on the podium.”

Goff said, “This is a really exciting opportunity for both myself and all of my loyal sponsors. I have been fortunate to have raced with many successful teams during my short time in the BTCC and having met the Eurotech Racing team and visited it’s very impressive facilities, it is already very clear they have all the personnel and resources to give me a great chance to be fighting for championship honours in 2017.

“The car is a proven winner, with Gordon having won the past two championships and with the Swindon engine I think we have a very competitive package for the 2017 season.

“I am under no illusions that the championship is going to be as competitive as ever this season and there is going to be a large number of drivers fighting for the trophy, come Brands Hatch in October, we just need to make sure we are mathematically in contention.

“I must say a huge thank you to all of my loyal sponsors and Eurotech Racing for giving me this opportunity.”

AmDTuning.com is an outfit looking to push its operation up a notch for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship as it expands to a two-car operation.

Driving those striking Audi S3s will be the returning Ollie Jackson, partnered by reigning Renault UK Clio Cup champion Ant Whorton-Eales – confirmed this week by buoyant team boss Shaun Hollamby.

“I’m very pleased with what we’ve done,” started Hollamby. “Ollie came on leaps and bounds last year, getting used to the Audi S3.

“The deal was done very late in the day for the previous campaign so he was thrown in the deep end, and I think he did very well given that.

“We’ve been planning the second Audi for a year and a half now with the shell ready to go. The key for me is to get young blood into the series and Ant Whorton-Eales was always on the radar.

“He was talking to other teams and I’m really keen to have someone young and enthusiastic like him. Plus, we can fight for the Jack Sears Trophy, which we won a few years back with Dave Newsham. I know we’ll be getting a feisty racer.”

Last year, a lack of testing hampered Jackson and AmD. At the mid-season Dunlop Tyre Test, the outfit uncovered a setup tweak that yielded some half-a-second – enough to throw them into the mix for points, in what is an incredibly competitive field, throughout the second half of 2016.

“We had Keith Cheetham join us, an engineer from our GT programme, and he found a few things on the car – particularly on dampers.

“It really made the car come alive. It didn’t take much, given the competitiveness of the BTCC, to fire us up the order. We found pieces on the car setup wise and with Ollie in the car without it being a race weekend situation, it made a difference.

“A bit more luck in the last couple of races and he’d have been top ten. At Rockingham, we were legitimately battling with Gordon Shedden – a guy fighting for the championship – it was great for us.”

Jackson himself is thrilled at the promise of continuity, having signed a new deal early – giving him a good amount of time in preparation for the Brands Hatch opener over the first weekend in April.

“It’s great for me to get some continuity in touring cars and what better place to get it,” said Jackson. “We all get on really well, it’s a nice atmosphere and we’ve got a fantastic car as well.

“It’s going to be massively competitive this year but we’ve prepared well as a team and I’ve never been as ready as I am now with the deal in place early. It’s the best chance we’ve had of getting some results.

“Now we’ve a second S3, It’s double the running time and development on the car. With someone as quick as Ant, it’s all going to be very valuable.”

As for new signing Whorton-Eales, it’s something of a dream come true to be racing in the BTCC – the top of the touring car tree.

“It’s going to be a really good year. It’s a good move for me and I’m in a great car. I’m looking to learn from Ollie and overlay data to push the cars up the grid.

“It’s been a dream for years. Five years in the Clios did feel like a really long time and to win that championship last year made it feel like the perfect time to move on.

“It’s always been touring cars for me – I’ve never been interested in anything else.

“I knew the car was available and we managed to come to an agreement with Shaun [Hollamby]. I’m thankful to Stewart Lines for pushing me and getting my name out there too. I’m hoping to get dialed into the car and straight into it.”

BTCC coverage from The Pit Crew Online this season. Head over to Twitter and follow @PitCrew_Online but don’t forget the BTCC Season Launch on 16th March.

Photo Credits courtesy of BTCC.

Neil Simmons

Tin Top Editor

Twitter: @world_racing

26th January 20173rd July 2017

DTM – 2017 Line-Up Is Complete

Touring Cars

Mercedes-AMG is the last of the three Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters manufacturers to announce driver line-ups for the 2017 season, which means that all 18 names are now known.

As each brand will enter six cars this year instead of eight, Mercedes-AMG had to lay off some drivers.

The Stuttgart marque decided to keep only half of last year’s squad. Christian Vietoris, Maximilian Götz and Daniel Juncadella will therefore no longer be part of the DTM effort.

The team decided to keep Garry Paffett, Lucas Auer, Robert Wickens and Paul di Resta. Paffett and di Resta are both former series champions whilst Auer and Wickens have six victories and seven pole positions between them. They will be joined by last year’s runner-up and long-time Audi driver Edoardo Mortara, who will be the only driver to switch brands during the off season, and Maro Engel. The German driver will return to DTM for the first time since 2011 and at the moment is the only Mercedes-AMG driver who is yet to stand on the podium.

In order to reduce costs, all six Mercedes-AMG’s cars will be run by Team HWA this year.

BMW was the first brand to announce its 2017 line-up consisted of current champion Marco Wittmann, Timo Glock, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Tom Blomqvist and Maxime Martin, whilst Mattias Ekström, Nico Müller, Jamie Green, René Rast, Mike Rockenfeller and Loïc Duval will form the Audi team.

The 2017 DTM season will start in Hockenheim on 6-7 May.

Tomasz Kubiak