DTM: Sophie Hofmann following in Ellen Lohr's footsteps
Since 1984, ten female racing drivers have competed in the DTM. Ellen Lohr in particular has made history. In the 2021 season, junior driver Sophie Hofmann will be competing in the DTM Trophy with an Audi R8 LMS. Ellen Lohr is the only woman to have won a DTM race. That was on May 24, 1992, at [...]
Ellen Lohr is the only woman to have won a DTM race. That was at Hockenheim on May 24, 1992, when she left Formula 1 World Champion Keke Rosberg and the later record DTM champion Bernd Schneider behind her (pictured below, left).
Sophie Hofmann is on the starting line in the 2021 season
With a view to International Women's Day on March 8, the native of Mönchengladbach is convinced that it's only a matter of time before fast women are on the grid in the DTM again.
Lohr bases her confidence on numerous initiatives and sees a strong generation growing up. One example is Sophie Hofmann. The 22-year-old competes in the DTM Trophy, the substructure of the DTM (pictured right).
Physical requirements for women given
Ellen Lohr: "The physical prerequisites needed in motorsport are also present in women. What's crucial is the support. There hasn't really been any progress for many years, but now it's coming thick and fast. There are strong generations growing up in the junior sector right now who are at a good level to compete in the DTM very soon. With DTM switching to GT3 race cars, now is the best time for a woman to be successful in DTM."
Many efforts to get more women involved
The former Mercedes factory driver cites other reasons why women's chances of success have increased.
Ellen Lohr: "In general, there are many efforts in motorsport these days to get more women involved. These include the W-Series as a formula racing series just for women, which debuted as part of the DTM, the Women in Motorsport initiative of the FIA, the International Automobile Federation, or the Dare to be different organization founded by Susie Wolff."
Lella Lombardi was the first pilot of the series
The first woman in the DTM was Lella Lombardi (Alfa Romeo) in 1984, the first woman on the podium was Beate Nodes (Ford Sierra) in 1986 as third on the Avus in Berlin.
Dutchwoman Henny Hemmes (Chevrolet) competed in a few races, while Austrian Mercedes Stermitz and German Annette Meeuvissen (pictured above left with Ellen Lohr) drove one and three seasons respectively as BMW factory drivers. The female drivers, who were fielded by Audi and Mercedes between 2006 and 2012, had a tough time.
Rahel Frey battled it out with an Audi R8 LMS
Susie Stoddart from Scotland, who later married the current Mercedes Sports Director Toto Wolff, achieved several top ten finishes in the Mercedes. Driving for Audi were the Belgian Vanina Ickx (pictured below right with Susie Stoddart), the Brit Katherine Legge and Rahel Frey, who fought for points in an A5 DTM for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline in 2011 and 2012.
Female drivers will also be active on the DTM platform in 2021. Sophie Hofmann from Waldenburg in Saxony will compete in the DTM Trophy junior series. The 22-year-old will be piloting an Audi R8 LMS of the Heide-Motorsport team.
Source and photos: DTM
dtm.com
