Edoardo Mortara expresses concerns for DTM’s future after Mercedes exit

HWA Mercedes driver Edoardo Mortara says he is concerned for the survival of the DTM, following Mercedes’ decision to leave the series at the end of the 2018 season for Formula E.

Mercedes announced last month that it would withdraw from the DTM at the end of 2018 to join Audi and Porsche in the Formula E championship from 2019. The decision means that 2019 will be the first time since 1987 that Mercedes has not competed in the DTM.

Mercedes’ withdrawal means that should the DTM’s organisers, the ITR, fail to attract a third manufacturer to the series, then the DTM would be down to two manufacturers; Audi and BMW. Prior to BMW’s arrival in 2012, the DTM was a two-manufacturer championship between Audi and Mercedes, after Opel decided to pull out at the end of 2005.

When asked by TouringCarTimes if he feels that Mercedes’ decision to withdraw from the DTM spells the end of the championship in its current guise, Mortara said: “This is only my opinion, but the DTM has only survived because it has three manufacturers.

“I don’t think it will continue if there are only two, but if Audi and BMW want to stay in the series, then maybe [it will survive], but for sure, with Mercedes’ withdrawal, the future of the DTM is compromised.”

Whilst admitting to being “surprised” by Mercedes’ decision to leave the DTM, Mortara said that the early timing of the announcement would allow him to focus on impressing in Mercedes’ DTM and GT programmes, with a view to staying with the manufacturer beyond 2018.

Mortara combines his Mercedes DTM programme with a full-season behind the wheel of an ASP Akka Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Blancpain GT Series. His best results in this year’s season are a third place at Silverstone, and a third place at the 24 Hours of Spa in July.

“I don’t have any information about anything, but I hope that I will still have a seat in the DTM with Mercedes in 2018,” he continued.

“As for the rest of it, it’s way too early to speak about things to be honest, because the [withdrawal] announcement was made very early. No new programmes will be starting until 2019, so many things can change.

“That said, I have the opportunity this year to show my skills in the Blancpain series, and I hope that Mercedes is happy with my performances, and I will be able to continue with them. However, this is just from my side, and I cannot speak for them.”

Mortara currently stands 13th in the DTM standings on 41 points. His best so far result was a third this season during Race 2 at the Norisring.