Nico Müller: "It could be worse" 🎥
HIOBSBOTSCHAFT Audi Sport will withdraw from the DTM at the end of 2020. Its future is now very uncertain. And for Nico Müller, the most important chapter in his professional career so far is coming to an end. On its way to becoming a provider of balance sheet CO2-neutral premium mobility, Audi is realigning the brand's motorsport program, according to a statement on April 27. The commitment [...]
On its way to becoming a supplier on balance CO2-neutral premium mobility, Audi is realigning the brand's motorsport program, according to a statement dated April 27. The men of the four rings will therefore not extend their involvement in the DTM beyond the 2020 season. The Board of Management of AUDI AG had also decided this against the background of the economic challenges resulting from the Corona pandemic.
Focus on Formula E and customer sports
In the future, Audi's motorsport activities will focus on further participation in FIA Formula E and customer racing. Together with its partner team ABT, the brand has been represented in the electric racing series since its launch and, with one championship title by Lucas di Grassi and 41 podium finishes, is the most successful team to date.
Audi has shaped the DTM from 1990 to 1992 and since 2000 with 23 championship titles to date, including eleven among the drivers. By winning the drivers', manufacturers' and teams' championships, 2019 was the most successful DTM season in the company's history to date.
The Audi Sport vlog produced after the 2019 DTM finale at Hockenheim reviews the past season.
Time for a rethink
For the DTM, Audi's withdrawal two years after Mercedes and one year after Aston Martin is likely to be the death blow in its current form. BMW alone is not enough to hold a championship, and another manufacturer could not even be found in the course of the cooperation with Japan.
A change to a kind of Super GT3 championship is now conceivable. No other class can boast so many manufacturers and teams. The time of the Class 1 touring cars with over 600 hp four-cylinder turbo engines, which otherwise could only compete in Japan, is probably over.
Grateful for the great opportunity
All factory drivers and their teams ABT, Phoenix and Rosberg are directly affected by this decision. From a Swiss perspective, this also includes Nico Müller, who has been driving for Audi since 2014 and crowned his career to date with the runner-up title last year.
Nico Müller: "Surely this unpleasant news is a shock somewhere. For me, a chapter is coming to an end. Audi made it possible for me to take the step towards becoming a professional. I'm extremely grateful that I've been able to work with so many great people to date. But fortunately this decision was made and announced relatively early. Now we have another season ahead of us and can say goodbye properly. My motivation is therefore huge. I want to race, put on a good show and will give everything to fight for the title again."
Which door will open?
What comes next, sighs the 28-year-old from Blumenstein, remains to be seen. He's not hanging his head, especially since he's already very broadly positioned as a racing driver and can actually pilot anything with four wheels quickly.
Nico Müller: "Where one door closes, another opens. Fortunately, I'm not just a DTM specialist, so I've also shown in endurance and GT races that I can win races. I'm also doing well in Formula E, even though my first races with Dragon Racing were difficult. If everything goes right, I can finish right at the front. I also have experience in rallycross and with LMP2 sports cars. It could be worse."
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