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Audi, BMW welcome new-look DTM schedule

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Audi and BMW have welcomed the news of a revised ten round calendar for the 2020 season, which is due to begin next month at the Norisring.

The new-look schedule will see events held in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting travel issues leading to events in Sweden, the UK, Russia and Italy all being dropped.

The compact calendar features double header meetings at three separate circuits and a busy September that will see teams racing on three successive weekends, with Audi motorsport chief Dieter Gass praising all involved for putting together the ten dates for what will be the manufacturer’s DTM farewell.

“This comprehensive race calendar is great news for all DTM fans,” he said. “Many thanks to Gerhard Berger, those responsible within the ITR and at the race tracks as well as everybody else involved for making this happen. For the teams and drivers, this extremely compact season will be a real challenge. Nevertheless, we are all just happy for the action to finally get underway again.

“For us at Audi Sport, it is a major objective to compete in as many races as possible in our final DTM season. I am convinced that we will get to see great racing. Of course, it would be a dream if the finale at Hockenheim and perhaps also further races prior to that could be held in front of spectators. But now, first of all, we are anticipating the start of the season and we hope for spectacular television footage. Our goal is clear: we want to win as many races as possible, defend our titles and bid our farewell to the DTM fans with many great races.”

BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt was also pleased with the ‘efficiency and stability’ provided by the new-look schedule but reiterated that safety had to be the primary focus before racing gets underway.

“The presentation of the adapted DTM race calendar makes us anticipate the start of the season even more,” he said. “The focus on Germany and its neighbouring countries Belgium and The Netherlands is in line with the current requirement to refrain from unnecessarily long travel and transport itineraries. Moreover, I welcome the planning of back-to-back race weekends at the same venue. That also reflects maximum efficiency and planning stability.

“However, it is important for me to emphasise that we only can and want to have races when the general situation allows for it, the concepts to do so are approved by the authorities and health and safety of everyone involved in the DTM can be guaranteed.”