Berger: BMW highly unlikely to stay in DTM under GT3 rules
ITR chief Gerhard Berger has conceded that there is little-to-no chance of BMW staying in the DTM next year when the series abandons Class One regulations to switch to GT3-based cars.


Motorsport.com revealed last week that the ITR has submitted a draft of what it calls the ‘GT Plus’ formula to Germany’s motorsport federation, featuring beefed-up GT3 cars, push-to-pass system and a Balance of Performance system to equalise all marques.
While Audi has indicated in the past that it could continue in the DTM next year via its customer teams despite its exit as a factory entrant, BMW has been less supportive of the direction the DTM is planning to take, saying a works GT3 programme would undermine its customer racing efforts that use the same ruleset.
Another major hindrance for BMW is that its new M4 GT3 challenger is under development and is not expected to be available for racing until 2022, leaving the marque without a car to compete in the DTM next year if it proceeds with its move to GT3-based cars.
“BMW has at the moment no GT3 car so they have no place to develop something in this direction,” Berger told Motorsport.com. “They are just going to have a car inside this regulation in 2022 if my understanding is right."
Asked if BMW could fast-track the development of the M4 GT3 in time for the start of the 2021 DTM season, Berger said: “My understanding is no because it is not homologated yet.”
Pressed further if that means there is no real chance of BMW competing in the DTM under GT Plus formula, Berger said “Exactly. That’s how I see it today. But you never know what’s [going to happen] tomorrow. Today, I would say yes, that’s my understanding.”
While the M4 remains under development, BMW teams have continued to compete with the old-generation M6 GT3 in endurance races, with one example of the car fielded by Walkenhorst Motorsport at Bathurst 12 Hour in February as part of BMW’s Intercontinental GT Challenge effort.
However, BMW is discontinuing the 6 Series from its road car line-up, which means BMW sees little logic in racing on with an out-of-production car.
"We have an M6, which is very old and also no longer really competitive," BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt told ran.de. "So it will be difficult for us [to compete in the DTM] on the basis of a GT3 car.”
Related video

Kubica losing 90% laptime on straights in the DTM
Demise of manufacturer-based DTM “terrible” - Haug

How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir
OPINION: Questionable driving standards and farcical team orders meant the DTM's first season under GT3 regulations ended under a cloud. But the organisation has responded firmly by banning team orders and welcomed new manufacturers, making for an intriguing season ahead as new and returning names prepare for battle.
The remarkable career of 'classy' champion Martin Tomczyk
Over two decades as a factory driver with Audi and BMW, Martin Tomczyk earned the respect of teammates and rivals as a hard but fair racer. After calling time on his racing career, the 2011 DTM champion sat down with Motorsport.com to look back.
Jamie Green: The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival
On his rise through the ranks before reaching Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton was usually a cut above the rest. But he never truly asserted himself over a Mercedes-backed fellow Briton who traded single-seaters for touring cars and is now seeking new opportunities after a year largely spent on the sidelines.
How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions
OPINION: The scenes at the Norisring as Mercedes used blatant team orders to secure the first DTM title of the new GT3 era totally undermined the credibility of the championship. But as well as overshadowing the season, it also presents uncomfortable questions to series bosses about the direction it is headed in.
How Audi's new DTM flagbearer is closing on his "childhood dream"
Having learned the ropes in GT3 alongside Rene Rast, Kelvin van der Linde is in line to take up the three-time champion's baton as Audi's new DTM king. From humble origins in South Africa, it's been a remarkable journey so far for the current series leader, but he knows that the 2021 title is a long way from settled just yet.
The number-crunching behind the new-look DTM's equalisation drive
Switching to GT3 regulations marked a fresh start for the DTM in 2021, but it has also drawn a line in the sand against other series using similar cars by engaging AVL Racing to develop a bespoke Balance of Performance system. Here’s how it works.
The initial verdict on DTM's move to GT3 cars
OPINION: Facing collapse last year, the DTM has shifted its philosophy from a championship for silhouette-based touring cars to GT machines not too dissimilar to those racing across multiple series worldwide. But despite some initial BoP-based teething troubles, there were some pleasant findings as the 'new DTM' got underway at Monza
Why Albon has his work cut out in the new-look DTM
The DTM moves into its bold new GT3 era with welcome support from Red Bull, which enters two AF Corse-run Ferraris. That includes one for ex-F1 driver Alex Albon, who’s determined to make a success of his GT switch