Flat-out into the DTM season: electrifying debut of the GT race cars at Monza
Monza is a mythical motorsport venue. At the race track near Milan, opened in 1922, DTM will be starting the next chapter of its long history: for the first time, DTM will be held with spectacular GT race cars with world-class drivers from twelve nations behind the wheel. Moreover, it is DTM’s first visit to the high-speed track north of Milan.
DTM 2021: debut of the GT race cars © DTM
Among race drivers and team principals alike, anticipation, but also tension about this imminent electrifying debut is all around. But irrespective of some changes, DTM still remains DTM like fans have known and appreciated it since 1984: one driver per race car, that is the DTM’s DNA – pure racing without any compromises. Like before, there is a double dose of action on each of the eight race weekends with one race each on Saturday and Sunday with the start scheduled as usual at 1.30pm.
The 2021 DTM is broadcast live in over 60 countries on all five continents. Around the globe, the race series with its strong German roots has become a brand name for fascinating racing “made in Germany”. For the fourth year, SAT.1 is broadcasting the DTM races live in the German-speaking region from 1pm on every race day. Moreover, all practice sessions and races can be watched on the ran.de web portal as well as on the DTM’s own OTT portal DTM Grid (grid.dtm.com). This allows DTM fans worldwide to keep up with the full action, be it on TV or on their mobile devices. This is all the more important as no spectators are admitted at Monza yet.
The 2021 DTM is broadcast live in over 60 countries on all five continents. Around the globe, the race series with its strong German roots has become a brand name for fascinating racing “made in Germany”. For the fourth year, SAT.1 is broadcasting the DTM races live in the German-speaking region from 1pm on every race day. Moreover, all practice sessions and races can be watched on the ran.de web portal as well as on the DTM’s own OTT portal DTM Grid (grid.dtm.com). This allows DTM fans worldwide to keep up with the full action, be it on TV or on their mobile devices. This is all the more important as no spectators are admitted at Monza yet.
Liam Lawson (NZL) Ferrari, Red Bull AF Corse © DTM
Ferrari coming in with a home round, Mercedes returning as the most successful DTM brand
Ferrari, one of the most famous names in motorsport, is participating in DTM for the first time. With Lamborghini, a second Italian sports car manufacturer is lining up on the DTM starting grid while McLaren will be present in selected rounds later this season. On the other hand, Mercedes-AMG, the most successful brand in DTM history, is making its comeback to the series from which it bowed out after winning the title in 2018. Last year, Audi and BMW were still among themselves in DTM with Class 1 touring cars while now, they are facing stiff opposition. Six brands in DTM on a regular basis, something that last happened around 30 years ago. Irrespective of which concept, front or mid-engine, turbocharged or naturally aspirated, eight or ten cylinders: there are several characteristics to identify the DTM race cars both optically and acoustically. The colourful liveries of the race cars also significantly contribute to this.
DTM stalwarts up against GT3 specialists – battle of brothers and female power
At Monza, 19 speed specialists will be behind the wheel of these cars with up to 600 hp. Alex Albon (THA) and Timo Glock (GER) both with a background in Formula 1, Mike Rockenfeller (GER) and Marco Wittmann (GER) as former DTM champions, DTM stalwarts like Nico Müller (SUI), Lucas Auer (AUT) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP) as well as GT specialists like Maximilian Götz (GER), Vincent Abril (MON) or Philip Ellis (SUI). There are several DTM rookies such as Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) while his brother Sheldon already has DTM experience – a battle of brothers that is spicing up the action even more.
The focus is also on the duel of the two female racers. Racing the Audi run by ABT Sportsline, Sophia Flörsch (GER) is not the only one keen to challenge the men for the points. The same can be said for Esmee Hawkey, the young British racer with the T3 Motorsport Lamborghini. While Timo Glock is the oldest driver in the field at 39 and Rockenfeller is the one with the most race participations to his name, Red Bull’s young talent Liam Lawson (NZL) will be joining the distinguished field as the youngest participant. The successful Formula 2 driver is only 19 years old, just like Belgian Esteban Muth.
There will be a new DTM champion, three-time title winner René Rast gets behind the microphone
There will definitely be a new DTM champion in 2021. Defending champion René Rast is currently concentrating on other commitments as an Audi works driver, although he will be on duty as an expert commentator on SAT.1, alternating with former title winners Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk. This is the big chance for runner-up Nico Müller with the Rosberg Audi, but he knows only too well that the number of title candidates in the new season is large. No surprise, therefore, that the drivers find it hard to name their favourites.
At the 5.793 kilometres long high-speed track of Monza, drivers and teams finally have to put their cards on the table. Any tactical games as they were played during the official pre-season test days at Hockenheim and Lausitzring are now over. Especially the brakes could become a key factor at the renowned circuit as lap after lap, hard braking from topspeed is required for every chicane. On top of that, there are temperatures of up to 34 degrees that have been forecast and will put the technology and the drivers in the hot cockpits to a hard test. New for this year is the science-based balancing of the vehicles that is eagerly awaited. Also new are the competition tyres from Michelin.
Next to DTM as the top event, the programme for the season opener in the Royal Park of Monza also includes the junior race series DTM Trophy with 22 production-based GT sports cars, the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and the Lotus Cup Europe.
#3 Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) Audi, ABT Sportsline
“My schedule for this year is pretty much packed and I have been in the Audi R8 LMS quite a lot, but DTM simply is something special. Therefore, I am looking forward to my debut at Monza.”
“During the test days at Monza a fortnight ago, I only did two sessions because then I had to go to the Nürburgring for the 24-hour race. But it was valuable to get a good feeling with Audi and Michelin at this track.”
“Monza provides good opportunities for overtaking, especially in the braking zones in the first two sectors, and therefore we will get to see good, exciting racing.”
#16 Timo Glock (GER) BMW, ROWE Racing
“I am absolutely happy that the action is finally starting. Having to wait so long for the season to start was a bit strange indeed. The fact that we are starting our new season at Monza is extraordinary, a great thing. I am curious how things will be going for me. In any case, I still have a lot to learn because the handling of the GT3 car is different to that of the former DTM cars. On top of that, there is the innovative Space Drive steering system that works without a mechanical steering column, a real technical innovation by Schaeffler Paravan.”
“Monza is an old-school circuit. Driving through the park to the track is simply beautiful. It is a special track and a good venue for the DTM season opener.”
#30 Liam Lawson (NZL) Ferrari, Red Bull AF Corse
“Driving a Ferrari in Italy, that really is something special. Facing a new challenge with Ferrari in Italy is really exciting. Frequently changing between Formula 2 and GT cars isn’t easy, but I am not thinking too much about that at all. The main thing for me is to be able to race, the more, the better.”
“Over a lap, the heat will hardly make a difference. But it will be interesting to see what the effect of the temperatures will be over the distance.”
#36 Arjun Maini (IND) Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed
“I am really excited just like everybody else. It was a long way to get here and now I can hardly wait until I can finally get back into the car at Monza. I am grateful to everyone enabling me to do so.”
“Only qualifying on Saturday will really show where we are compared to the others. Until then, everybody is running through his test programme, but in qualifying, everybody has to put the cards on the table. I am curious.”
Frederic Elsner, ITR GmbH, Director Event & Operations
“I have no doubt that DTM will be starting off its season with a great show. For months, since the announcement in September and the presentation at Hockenheim in November, we have been working almost day and night for this moment. The entire team at ITR and all our partners who have always remained confident in DTM can hardly await the first weekend of racing.”
“There is an unusual story behind the season opener at Monza. In 2019, I happened to be in the Monza area and I just drove to the circuit, knocked on the door and got to meet great people who worked in a very professional way and had good negotiations. Now, I am happy for the debut at Monza to become reality.”
“We have a professional field in DTM with great teams, a total of six manufacturers, 23 cars and drivers from twelve nations, a top-notch TV broadcast on SAT.1 and with our international partners in over 60 countries. Also in the DTM Trophy, we have 23 cars and the races will be broadcast by SPORT1, presented by AvD. Both series have a package that guarantees highly exciting competition at the race track.”
Ferrari, one of the most famous names in motorsport, is participating in DTM for the first time. With Lamborghini, a second Italian sports car manufacturer is lining up on the DTM starting grid while McLaren will be present in selected rounds later this season. On the other hand, Mercedes-AMG, the most successful brand in DTM history, is making its comeback to the series from which it bowed out after winning the title in 2018. Last year, Audi and BMW were still among themselves in DTM with Class 1 touring cars while now, they are facing stiff opposition. Six brands in DTM on a regular basis, something that last happened around 30 years ago. Irrespective of which concept, front or mid-engine, turbocharged or naturally aspirated, eight or ten cylinders: there are several characteristics to identify the DTM race cars both optically and acoustically. The colourful liveries of the race cars also significantly contribute to this.
DTM stalwarts up against GT3 specialists – battle of brothers and female power
At Monza, 19 speed specialists will be behind the wheel of these cars with up to 600 hp. Alex Albon (THA) and Timo Glock (GER) both with a background in Formula 1, Mike Rockenfeller (GER) and Marco Wittmann (GER) as former DTM champions, DTM stalwarts like Nico Müller (SUI), Lucas Auer (AUT) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP) as well as GT specialists like Maximilian Götz (GER), Vincent Abril (MON) or Philip Ellis (SUI). There are several DTM rookies such as Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) while his brother Sheldon already has DTM experience – a battle of brothers that is spicing up the action even more.
The focus is also on the duel of the two female racers. Racing the Audi run by ABT Sportsline, Sophia Flörsch (GER) is not the only one keen to challenge the men for the points. The same can be said for Esmee Hawkey, the young British racer with the T3 Motorsport Lamborghini. While Timo Glock is the oldest driver in the field at 39 and Rockenfeller is the one with the most race participations to his name, Red Bull’s young talent Liam Lawson (NZL) will be joining the distinguished field as the youngest participant. The successful Formula 2 driver is only 19 years old, just like Belgian Esteban Muth.
There will be a new DTM champion, three-time title winner René Rast gets behind the microphone
There will definitely be a new DTM champion in 2021. Defending champion René Rast is currently concentrating on other commitments as an Audi works driver, although he will be on duty as an expert commentator on SAT.1, alternating with former title winners Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk. This is the big chance for runner-up Nico Müller with the Rosberg Audi, but he knows only too well that the number of title candidates in the new season is large. No surprise, therefore, that the drivers find it hard to name their favourites.
At the 5.793 kilometres long high-speed track of Monza, drivers and teams finally have to put their cards on the table. Any tactical games as they were played during the official pre-season test days at Hockenheim and Lausitzring are now over. Especially the brakes could become a key factor at the renowned circuit as lap after lap, hard braking from topspeed is required for every chicane. On top of that, there are temperatures of up to 34 degrees that have been forecast and will put the technology and the drivers in the hot cockpits to a hard test. New for this year is the science-based balancing of the vehicles that is eagerly awaited. Also new are the competition tyres from Michelin.
Next to DTM as the top event, the programme for the season opener in the Royal Park of Monza also includes the junior race series DTM Trophy with 22 production-based GT sports cars, the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and the Lotus Cup Europe.
#3 Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) Audi, ABT Sportsline
“My schedule for this year is pretty much packed and I have been in the Audi R8 LMS quite a lot, but DTM simply is something special. Therefore, I am looking forward to my debut at Monza.”
“During the test days at Monza a fortnight ago, I only did two sessions because then I had to go to the Nürburgring for the 24-hour race. But it was valuable to get a good feeling with Audi and Michelin at this track.”
“Monza provides good opportunities for overtaking, especially in the braking zones in the first two sectors, and therefore we will get to see good, exciting racing.”
#16 Timo Glock (GER) BMW, ROWE Racing
“I am absolutely happy that the action is finally starting. Having to wait so long for the season to start was a bit strange indeed. The fact that we are starting our new season at Monza is extraordinary, a great thing. I am curious how things will be going for me. In any case, I still have a lot to learn because the handling of the GT3 car is different to that of the former DTM cars. On top of that, there is the innovative Space Drive steering system that works without a mechanical steering column, a real technical innovation by Schaeffler Paravan.”
“Monza is an old-school circuit. Driving through the park to the track is simply beautiful. It is a special track and a good venue for the DTM season opener.”
#30 Liam Lawson (NZL) Ferrari, Red Bull AF Corse
“Driving a Ferrari in Italy, that really is something special. Facing a new challenge with Ferrari in Italy is really exciting. Frequently changing between Formula 2 and GT cars isn’t easy, but I am not thinking too much about that at all. The main thing for me is to be able to race, the more, the better.”
“Over a lap, the heat will hardly make a difference. But it will be interesting to see what the effect of the temperatures will be over the distance.”
#36 Arjun Maini (IND) Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed
“I am really excited just like everybody else. It was a long way to get here and now I can hardly wait until I can finally get back into the car at Monza. I am grateful to everyone enabling me to do so.”
“Only qualifying on Saturday will really show where we are compared to the others. Until then, everybody is running through his test programme, but in qualifying, everybody has to put the cards on the table. I am curious.”
Frederic Elsner, ITR GmbH, Director Event & Operations
“I have no doubt that DTM will be starting off its season with a great show. For months, since the announcement in September and the presentation at Hockenheim in November, we have been working almost day and night for this moment. The entire team at ITR and all our partners who have always remained confident in DTM can hardly await the first weekend of racing.”
“There is an unusual story behind the season opener at Monza. In 2019, I happened to be in the Monza area and I just drove to the circuit, knocked on the door and got to meet great people who worked in a very professional way and had good negotiations. Now, I am happy for the debut at Monza to become reality.”
“We have a professional field in DTM with great teams, a total of six manufacturers, 23 cars and drivers from twelve nations, a top-notch TV broadcast on SAT.1 and with our international partners in over 60 countries. Also in the DTM Trophy, we have 23 cars and the races will be broadcast by SPORT1, presented by AvD. Both series have a package that guarantees highly exciting competition at the race track.”
