Photo: DTM Media

BMW Motorsport confirm support for Class One for the DTM’s future

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BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt has stated that the implementation of Class One would be the best solution to give DTM the regulatory framework necessary to guarantee its future, after Mercedes’ exit from the series at the end of 2018.

“After the announcement that Mercedes-Benz is going to leave the DTM at the end of 2018, we promised the fans that we would fight for the future of the DTM. We are working hard to do just that,” Marquardt said.

“We are involved in intensive discussions with ITR chairman Gerhard Berger and with manufacturers to develop a viable concept for the future, retain the DTM as an attractive and innovative platform and continue to provide fans with exciting motorsport in a top-level competitive environment.”

Series promoter ITR has been working with the concept of Class One, a joint venture with the Japanese Super GT and the IMSA-run US SportsCar Championship for over two years now.

Whilst IMSA have put aside their involvement, the 2017 Super GT already runs cars developed according to the Class One concept, with DTM having to postpone its implementation after Mercedes asked to delay the introduction of the two-litre four-cylinder engine until 2019.

After Mercedes AMG announced their exit from the series at the end of next year, new discussions were opened up about what would be best to not only keep Audi and BMW onboard, but also to attract new manufacturers. Discussions at Zandvoort pointed that Class One was not the only option considered, but BMW has made their position clear this morning.

“We support the introduction of the so-called Class One regulations and are prepared to equip DTM cars with extremely highly efficient and more powerful four-cylinder turbo engines and reduced aerodynamics. This would open the door for standardised, global regulations and allow the DTM to drive on the same technical foundation as the cars in the Japanese Super GT Championship, for example,” Marquardt stated.

“This concept would secure the future of the DTM, open it up internationally, and make the whole platform more attractive. We would welcome it if other manufacturers followed and would also commit to the DTM.”