The DTM has seen a surge in registrations in its second year with GT3 cars. 29 cars, 6 manufacturers and 15 teams will race in the 2022 championship. Some of the biggest names on the grid include two-time series winner, Marco Wittmann, Porsche factory driver Laurens Vanthoor, Nickit Thiim with Aston Martin and Rene Rast .
The Audi driver, who returned this year to the DTM with Abt Sportsline after a season in Formula E, believes that consistency could play an important role in deciding the outcome of the championship given the fact that many have the potential to fight for the championship. title.
“I think there are 20 or maybe more riders capable of winning the championship. Obviously it will depend on various factors, but there are many riders with the potential to win ”.
“I believe that in the end everything will depend on who has fewer accidents and penalties, even if the performance of the cars will play a fundamental role”.
Mercedes will field an impressive line-up of eight cars supported by the manufacturer that will feature the likes of Maximilian Gotz and Lucas Auer.
René Rast, Team ABT Sportsline Audi R8 LMS GT3
Photo by: Andreas Beil
The new addition of the GruppeM team, Maro Engel, expressed enormous satisfaction with the return to the category and the large number of participants present this season.
“It’s great to be back and the starter park is incredible. I think it’s the most competitive grid the DTM has had since 2000. I have to congratulate the organizers ”.
“For me it has always been a special championship, not only because I met my wife here, but also because I have fond memories of my childhood”.
Lucas Auer was one of the protagonists of the second half of the season in 2021, and could have achieved three consecutive victories in as many race weekends had he not been asked to give way to Gotz at Norisring.
The Austrian said the goal for the 2022 season is to pick up where he left off last year, but believes replicating the same results will be much more complex this season due to the high level of competitiveness of the drivers present. .
“I think the competition will be tougher this year. I’m sure the level will be higher. My goal is to continue in the wake of what we saw in the final of 2021, but it will be very tough “.
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