DTM cancels pre-season test due to coronavirus
The pre-season DTM test that was scheduled to take place next week at Hockenheim has been called off amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Championship organiser ITR had already opted to move the four-day test, due to take place on March 16-19, from its original location of Monza to Hockenheim amid the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. It later confirmed it would be closed to spectators.
However, with the virus continuing to sweep across Europe, the decision has been made to cancel the test altogether with the support of the series' two manufacturers, Audi and BMW.
Germany is now the third-worst hit country on the continent behind Italy and Spain, having reported more than 3,600 COVID-19 cases.
“The health and safety of all people involved is our highest priority," said ITR managing director Marcel Mohaupt. "The general situation around the coronavirus, in conjunction with the directives made by German government authorities, and consideration for those involved, means we have taken the decision to cancel this test.
"Naturally, we’re disappointed that the DTM – along with many other sports – is having to take such measures, but obviously these are for the greater good.
“With regard to the start of the 2020 season, we are engaged in a close dialogue with our partners, manufacturers and local race organisers.”
The 2020 DTM season is currently scheduled to get underway on April 25-26 at Zolder, although this date looks increasingly in question as several other leading championships - notably Formula 1, Formula E and IndyCar - have opted to suspend their schedules entirely until the pandemic abates.
Previous article
Audi adds ninth DTM car for Habsburg
Next article
Audi reveals liveries for DTM title defence in 2020
About this article
| Series | DTM |
| Author | Jamie Klein |
DTM 2021 Test Hockenheim Day 2
DTM 2021 Test Hockenheim Day 1
WRT Team Audi Sport – 2020 DTM Season Review
DTM 2020: Audi bids farewell
DTM: Hockenheim - Race 2 Highlights
The slow-burner threatening to unseat Audi's DTM king
It's taken him a while to emerge as a consistent title challenger, but in the final year of DTM's Class One ruleset, Nico Muller has smoothed the rough edges and has double champion stablemate Rene Rast working harder than ever to keep up in the title race.
Does 2000 hold the answers to the DTM's current crisis?
It's 20 years since the DTM roared back into life at a packed Hockenheim with a back-to-basics approach as the antidote to its high-tech past. Now it's on its knees again, so is it time to recall the lessons learned in 2000?
Ranking the 10 best Audi DTM drivers
Audi last week announced it would be exiting the DTM at the end of 2020, bringing the curtain down on 20 years of continuous participation since the series' reboot in 2000.
Why the DTM must reinvent itself after Audi exit
Audi's announcement that it will withdraw from the DTM at the end of 2020 was the latest blow for a series that has lost three manufacturers in as many years. Some major soul-searching will now be required to assess how it can survive.
Why cynic Berger changed his mind over green tech in racing
DTM boss Gerhard Berger was a detractor of Formula E and held a reluctance for his series to embrace greener engine technologies. However, this cynic's tune has had to change to ensure DTM's existence as the motorsport world moves forward
What the fallout from Aston's engine split means for 2020
Aston Martin's DTM arrival, via the R-Motorsport outfit, was heralded as a salvation of sorts for the series. After plenty of bumps in the road in 2019, the team finds itself in a similar position to the one it was in 12 months ago. Can it get its act together?
How the DTM and Super GT can build on their experiment
The Class One 'Dream Race' staged by the DTM and SUPER GT proved a hit - from a competitive and collaborative standpoint. The next step will be for both parties to ensure a successful trial ends up being more than just that.
Robot pitcrews and hydrogen – is DTM's concept plausible?
DTM organiser ITR has mooted a radical plan for a "truly new and inspiring" future motorsport series. How realistic are its suggestions of automated pitstops and 1000bhp hydrogen-fuelled touring cars?
