BMW star Wittmann remains in DTM with Walkenhorst
Factory BMW driver Marco Wittmann has joined Walkenhorst Motorsport for its entry into the DTM in 2021.
Wittmann is BMW’s most successful driver in the DTM, winning drivers’ titles for the Bavarian marque in 2014 and ‘16, and scoring 15 victories and 36 podiums over eight seasons.
While BMW’s involvement in the 2021 DTM season will be limited to providing factory support to customer teams, Wittmann will remain in the category this year after signing a deal with the Spa 24 Hours-winning Walkenhorst team.
The 31-year-old will combine his DTM commitments with a full-season drive in GT World Challenge Europe, where he will also race for Walkenhorst alongside fellow works BMW driver Sheldon van der Linde and Frenchman Thomas Neubauer.
With this announcement, three drivers from BMW’s roster now have confirmed seats in the DTM, the other two being Rowe Racing signings van der Linde and Timo Glock.
“I'm really looking forward to be driving with Walkenhorst Motorsport in the DTM 2021," said Wittmann.
"There are certainly some new challenges to overcome for us, including using the BMW M6 GT3 in sprint race format. Nevertheless we as a team will give everything to ensure that the project is successful.
"Anyone who knows me knows how important the DTM is for me and it means even more that I will be competing again in a new constellation in 2021.”
Walkenhorst Motorsport announced in February that it would expand to the DTM this year with a single-car BMW M6 GT3 entry.
The move follows its championship success in the Intercontinental GT Challenge with Augusto Farfus and Nicky Catsburg last season.
“Now a new chapter is starting for us - being part of the top level DTM championship is fantastic," team manager Niclas Konigbauer said.
"With Marco we have a DTM champion in our team and we will work hard to keep our
successful path also in this sprint environment. Every single person involved in our program is highly motivated and we are looking forward to fight for podiums.”
The first pre-season test of the 2021 DTM season begins on Wednesday, with 10 teams travelling to Hockenheim for two days of running.
Related video
Rast not ruling out DTM return amid impending Audi FE exit
Paffett returns to DTM as Mercedes names full line-up
Ferrari’s Binotto F1 split looks "strange", says Brundle
Ferrari’s parting of ways with team boss Mattia Binotto appears "strange" if no top-level figure has been lined up to replace him, reckons Sky Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle.
Marquez: MotoGP mustn't become like F1 where machinery matters more
Marc Marquez has warned MotoGP “needs to be careful” not to become like Formula 1, where he believes it’s become harder for drivers to make the difference over their cars.
Rolex 24 qualifying race scrapped for 2023
IMSA has announced that the grid for next year's WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona will no longer be determined by a qualifying race.
F1 should not be afraid to limit "ritualistic" DRS use from 2023, says Brawn
Formula 1 should not be afraid to make the DRS advantage less powerful from 2023 in a bid to stop overtaking becoming too "ritualistic", says Ross Brawn.
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
His day of days in Formula 1 came at Indianapolis in 2005, a day grand prix racing strives to forget. But Patrick Friesacher, the long-serving Red Bull lieutenant, remains active today driving a two-seater that provides ordinary people with a glimpse of an F1 car’s savage potential, including this writer...
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