The German Touring Car Championship, or DTM as it is known, is one of the most competitive racing series in the world. Drivers in equally match cars test their skill in a crowded grid of talented rivals, something that results in spectacular motorsport. Audi has been responsible for producing some amazing DTM cars over the years, but today it announce that it will leave the series.
Currently BMW M4 Turbo and Audi RS5 Turbo cars make up the DTM field, but when the 2020 season concludes, BMW will be the last manufacturer standing. Audi’s decision to leave the sport it has been a pivotal part of comes down to it wanting to focus more on Formula E. As more of the Audi range goes electric, DTM is simply not relevant in its current form. Audi is aiming for 40% of its sales to be electric vehicles by 2025, and its highly successful Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler FE team is now the golden child of the motorsport portfolio.
Another factor was the financial situation the coronavirus pandemic has caused, something that will likely shake more than just DTM. Just like Formula 1, the touring car season has yet to get underway. The lack of racing and sponsorshipsbegins to take its toll on the financial viability of the series. However, Audi still hope to defend its 2019 titles in whatever remaining races there may be in 2020.
Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said: ‘Audi has shaped the DTM and the DTM has shaped Audi. This demonstrates what power lies in motorsport – technologically and emotionally.’ He continued: ‘With this energy, we’re going to drive our transformation into a provider of sporty, sustainable electric mobility forward. That’s why we’re also focusing our efforts on the race track and systematically competing for tomorrow’s ‘Vorsprung.’
From 1990 – 1992 and from 2000 until now, Audi has racked up 23 championship titles, 114 victories, 345 podium finishes, 106 pole positions and 112 fastest laps. 2019 was the marque’s most successful year ever.
Audi maintains that motorsport remains within its DNA, but it would appear that said genetic code is evolving with the times.
Keyword: Audi to quit DTM at the end of 2020 season