Photo: DTM

DTM moving closer to GT formula in bid to secure its future

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The DTM is moving closer towards a GT-based formula in a bid to secure its future beyond the current season, according to reports.

The loss of Audi from the series at the end of the year, following on from the end of the R-Motorsport Aston Martin programme and Mercedes’ departure at the end of 2018, had left the DTM with an uncertain future beyond 2020.

With the Class One regulations having failed to attract entries from Japanese manufacturers currently competing in Super GT, DTM organisers ITR have been left to look at a range of options to ensure that the series remains a viable option on track, the most popular of which would see the series run upgraded GT3-spec machinery.

According to Autosport, GT3 will now form the basis of a new set of technical regulations that will be submitted to the German Motor Sport Authority before the end of August, with the main differences to the GT3 rules seen across the globe being an increase in power and the introduction of the push-to-pass system currently in use.

Should a move to a GT3 formula go ahead and be approved by the FIA, it would be expected that privateer teams would largely fill the grid, with teams able to benefit from manufacturer support.

“It’s clear that we’ll have to extend our technical regulations and it’s also obvious that this extension will go in the direction of GT Plus regulations,” ITR chairman Gerhard Berger told Autosport. “To further develop the platform in this direction was our plan even before Audi’s withdrawal.

“From my point of view it is very important for our platform that we maintain the sprint race format and bring many professional, independent teams with professional racers behind the wheel to the grid.

“I have already received numerous requests from teams.”

ITR is reported to be keen to gain an idea of whether BMW and Audi is prepared to be involved in the new-look DTM, with that latter having suggested that a GT3-based future could see it continue to feature beyond 2020 through its customer racing programmes.