Audi remain confident of “attractive grid” for new season

Audi has joined BMW in vowing to help the DTM move forwards from the announcement that R-Motorsport is to end its Aston Martin programme after a single year.

The decision from the Swiss team leaves the two German manufacturers as the only ones on the grid for 2020, with the pair set to run six cars apiece for the second season of the Class 1 regulations.

Audi will also be represented by the privateer WRT programme, which means a field of 14 cars is set to compete; the lowest number of cars since the DTM was relaunched back in 2000.

Speaking following the announcement, head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass expressed regret at the decision but said he remained confident that a strong grid can still be seen on track in 2020 despite the limited time available before the season gets underway.

“We regret the decision of R-Motorsport and wish the team of Dr. Florian Kamelger all the best for their future projects,” he said. “The ITR and especially Gerhard Berger are currently in intensive discussions with possible teams and manufacturers.

“We know that it is not an easy task to do this in the remaining three months until the season starts, but we are sure that we can present the DTM fans an attractive starting grid in the 2020 season.”