Breaking news
DTM
Mercedes keen to retain DTM drivers after quitting series
Mercedes DTM boss Ulrich Fritz has indicated that the German marque will try to keep its line-up of drivers within its stable after it quits the tin-top series.
Jamie Klein
Published: Aug 31, 2017, 8:51 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Last month's news that Mercedes will leave DTM after the 2018 season in favour of an entry into Formula E has left its six current drivers facing uncertain futures beyond next season.
Along with rival marques Audi and BMW, Mercedes slimmed down to six cars for 2017, recruiting Edoardo Mortara from Audi to join Gary Paffett, Paul di Resta, Robert Wickens, Lucas Auer and returnee Maro Engel, who also races for the Venturi Formula E team.
Speaking at Zandvoort last weekend, Fritz said Mercedes would be keen to keep its drivers within its orbit even after it leaves DTM, but also made it clear they would be free to pursue other avenues.
"Mercedes has always been known for being really close with the drivers, having long-term relationships with drivers," said Fritz.
"If you look at the two guys who left the DTM programme last year, Maxi [Gotz] and Dani [Juncadella], they are still part of the whole party, and this is something we will try to achieve for them as well.
"On the other hand, if they want to do something else, I will definitely not stand in their way."
Asked by Motorsport.com whether the Mercedes Formula E team will therefore run current Mercedes-contracted drivers, Fritz replied: "It’s too early to say, still two years to go.
"But in DTM we have the strongest line-up worldwide, I would say, driver quality-wise. So you would be maybe taking those guys, because for sure they would be competitive.
"Of course Maro has an advantage because he has experience in this field, but even [also] Edo [Mortara] because he did a lot of testing with Abt years ago. We will see."
Asked about the potential of racing in Formula E with Mercedes, Mortara told Motorsport.com: "Formula E is growing, seems to be growing really fast. It’s the championship to be in. Why not?
"I like challenges, this new technology. I think it’s still possible for me to do well in that championship, coming from DTM where the level is very high."
Robert Wickens likewise expressed an interest in a potential Formula E move, and told Motorsport.com that Mercedes quitting DTM gives him the possibility of making a "fresh start".
"You never know," said the Canadian, who has also expressed an interest in IndyCar. "I feel like HWA is happy with me and my results so far with them, so there are definitely a lot of opportunities.
"Sometimes a fresh start can change a person. I went through the same thing when I was released from Red Bull – it was one or two days of grief, and then you realise the other possibilities.
"It frees you do to a lot, I just need to figure out what’s best for the rest of my career."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article DTM must be "open to anything" to ensure survival - BMW
Next article Berger: DTM ready to change calendar for potential newcomers
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Robert Wickens
Robert Wickens embraces last-minute call-up for IMSA Endurance debut at Road America
IMSA
IMSA
Road America
Robert Wickens embraces last-minute call-up for IMSA Endurance debut at Road America
Robert Wickens full of “gratitude” in home race return after extraordinary industry effort
IMSA
IMSA
Mosport
Robert Wickens full of “gratitude” in home race return after extraordinary industry effort
Robert Wickens set to again compete in IMSA sprint rounds with DXDT Racing
IMSA
IMSA
Robert Wickens set to again compete in IMSA sprint rounds with DXDT Racing
Latest news
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
13 min
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 29 min
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
Daniel Suarez will return to Spire Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR Cup season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
34 min
Daniel Suarez will return to Spire Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR Cup season
Spy shots of 2027 NASCAR Ford Mustang testing at Charlotte, but what's different?
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 h
Spy shots of 2027 NASCAR Ford Mustang testing at Charlotte, but what's different?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe