Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt K
I must say the (almost) complete silence regarding this year's DTM is quite worrying. Last year ADAC was adamant they don't want to make it look like in previous years when DTM was disappearing from the stage between the seasons yet this is what's happening this year. Also, given their initial plan to announce the grid before Christmas, the one-month delay (and counting) also doesn't look too good. There are also some unofficial information suggesting there's a lot of uncertainty for many teams, even with indications that if the grid size is 20 cars it'll be good. Honestly, I hadn't expected that ADAC's takeover of the championship would bring in so much negativity after only one season.
Economic circumstances are difficult, however, and it seems motorsport in such a form as DTM is slowly becoming less and less affordable even for the most professional teams. It all looks pretty bad I must say.
What we know so far when it comes to the grid size:
Abt Audi - K. van der Linde
Abt Audi - Feller
Manthey Porsche - Preining
Manthey Porsche - ?? (rumours about Guven)
SSR Lamborghini - Bortolotti
SSR Lamborghini - Thiim
Grasser Lamborghini - Engelhart
Grasser Lamborghini - ?? (wonder if it could be Perera, Schmid left the team)
Schubert BMW - S. van der Linde
Schubert BMW - Rast
HRT Mercedes - ??
HRT Mercedes - ??
Winward Mercedes - ??
Winward Mercedes - ??
Emil Frey Ferrari - ?? (most probably Vermeulen)
Emil Frey Ferrari - ?? (Aitken working on coming back)
As for AMG camp, we can assume Engel, Auer and Stolz will be back. Auer at Winward and Stolz at HRT seems almost a certainty. Heard some contradictory rumours about Maini - IMO there's not a reason to retain him but who knows. Schumacher will probably go to GTWC/GT Masters. Landgraf still uncertain.
Porsche seems the most obvious example of DTM going backwards. Bernhard will not return and Toksport allegedly still working on continuing but wouldn't bet on them staying - this would mean just two Porsches on the grid.
As for Audi Abt will be the only Audi team I presume, Attempto probably not returning, while if Engstler returns, I guess that will be with a different car. Luca Engstler's future is another matter as he could be at Mercedes or any different team.
BMW will probably shrink to just two cars as well, Project 1 will certainly not go back as a BMW team. The only possibility of BMW expanding is Schubert fielding three cars, the third for Wittmann. As much as that'd be a great scenario, I fear Wittmann will miss out - another indication of how bad things are going. Personally, I'd hoped for Rosberg coming back with BMW but now I don't think they will come back at all.
There are some rumours about Project 1 switching to McLaren and according to various sources this is quite likely. Less likely is Comtoyou entering DTM with Aston Martin though. It might as well be that the 2024 grid will be just the 16 entries we know as confirmed (or semi-confirmed) at the moment.
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While I think the concern here is probably pretty valid, I would say that we had similar concerns last year and the grid ended up very healthy.
I don't think we will see a repeat of that, but hopefully 20-22 cars.
Realistically, 20ish competitive cars can make for great racing, more active chance of movement up the grid as there is less congestion. I think anything about 25 cars in a sprint race is a bit pointless, you just get big processions.
It is going to be interesting how GT3 series in Europe are fielded this year.
Essentially the WEC is taking a lot of the professional focus potentially harming the PRO grids in DTM and GTWC.
If GTWC becomes less PRO orientated, then they need to be hanging on to their amateur driver interest, and global economics are likely pinching those a little at the moment.
Theres also a few too many opportunities for a Amateur driver to drive a GT3 car now, between GTWC, ELMS, Le Mans Cup, GT Open, GT Masters, British GT etc.
I imagine several, or all of these series will be hit with lower grids this year.
It is very quiet on the GTWC front....