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Lucas Auer joins Mercedes for 2015 DTM campaign

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20-year-old Austrian driver Lucas Auer has become the second driver this week to be announced at Mercedes-Benz for the 2015 season, and will join Maximilian Götz and Gary Paffett at the marque this year.

While Audi has confirmed its full eight-driver line-up, and BMW have confirmed all but one of their eight drivers, Mercedes-Benz are more slowly establishing their 2015 programme, with Auer and Götz two rookies joining the DTM, with Götz moving across from the Blancpain Sprint Series, and Auer from the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, where he finished fourth in the standings last year with two race wins as well as a second place finish at the Macau Grand Prix.

Auer was one of a number of drivers who had the opportunity to test a Mercedes DTM car late last year following his performances in the F3 season, where he drove with Mücke Motorsport in a Mercedes-powered Dallara F312.

“Joining the DTM is an important step in my career,” said Auer. “I’m very proud to be part of the Mercedes family. Testing towards the end of last year in Jerez de la Frontera was a fantastic experience. I can’t wait to get back in the car and continue preparations for my DTM debut. I would never have thought it a year ago. I realise that it won’t be an easy task. The DTM is a top-class racing series with formidable opponents, but I’m willing to learn and ready to embark on this adventure. I intend to grab this chance at Mercedes‑Benz with both hands.”

Mercedes-Benz motorsport head Toto Wolff added:

“Lucas Auer has earned this opportunity with his performance in recent years. Our involvement in Formula 3 has enabled many drivers in the past to show that they are ready for the DTM, including Christian Vietoris and Pascal Wehrlein. We are continuing with our philosophy of giving young racing talent a chance to move up to the DTM and it is now apparent that both the Customer Sports Programme and Formula 3 can lead to that objective, as evidenced by Maximilian Götz and Lucas Auer. It’s all down in the end to the driver’s strength of purpose, his level of commitment and performance.”