A surprise announcement by Mercedes-Benz puts an entire competition at risk. Mercedes-Benz will withdraw from the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) at the end of the 2018 season, focusing its attention on Formula E, which it will be part of in the 2019-2020 season.
The new strategy of the German brand allows it to be positioned at the two current extremes of motorsport: Formula 1, which continues to be the queen discipline, combining high technology with the most demanding competitive environment; and Formula E, which represents the transformation taking place in parallel in the automobile industry.
Mercedes-Benz has been one of the most frequent presences at the DTM and has been the most successful manufacturer in the discipline since its foundation in 1988. Since then, it has managed 10 driver's championships, 13 team's championships and six manufacturers' championships (combining the DTM with the ITC). He also achieved 183 wins, 128 pole positions and 540 podium climbs.
Toto Wolff, Executive Director and Head of Mercedes-Benz MotorsportThe years we spent in the DTM will always be valued as one of the main chapters in the history of motorsport at Mercedes-Benz. I want to thank all the team members who with their fantastic work helped make Mercedes-Benz the most successful manufacturer so far. Although the exit will be tough for all of us, we will do everything during this season and the next to ensure that we manage to win as many DTM titles as possible before we leave. We owe it to our fans and ourselves.
And now, Audi and BMW?
The DTM thus loses one of its main players, leading Audi and BMW, the other participating manufacturers, to reassess its continuation in the discipline.
Audi had already “shocked” half the world by abandoning the LMP program, which has brought it countless successes since the beginning of the century, whether at the WEC (World Endurance Champioship) or at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The ring brand also decided to head to Formula E.
Speaking to Autosport, Audi's head of motorsports Dieter Gass said: “We regret the decision by Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from the DTM […] The consequences for Audi and discipline are not clear at the moment… We have now to analyze the new situation to find a solution or alternatives to the DTM.”
BMW made similar statements through Jens Marquardt, its head of motorsports: “It is with great regret that we learn of the withdrawal of Mercedes-Benz from the DTM […] We now need to assess this new situation”.
DTM can survive with only two builders. This already happened between 2007 and 2011, where only Audi and Mercedes-Benz participated, with BMW returning in 2012. To avoid the collapse of the championship, if Audi and BMW decide to follow in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz, solutions will be needed. Why not consider input from other builders? Perhaps a certain Italian manufacturer, nothing strange to the DTM…
