Mercedes to field expanded seven-car attack in 2014 DTM

Mercedes will retain Robert Wickens, Christian Vietoris and Pascal Wehrlein in an expanded seven-car DTM line-up for the 2014 season.

Fellow 2013 Mercedes driver Roberto Merhi has lost his race seat but will remain on board in a test and reserve role.

Wickens, Vietoris and Wehrlein join Formula 1 refugees Paul di Resta and Vitaly Petrov plus Mercedes returnees Gary Paffett and Daniel Juncadella in the squad.

Di Resta was right to opt for the DTM

Mercedes has not yet announced how it will split its drivers. Last year HWA ran four cars, with Mucke fielding the other two in what was then a six-car team.

Vietoris was Mercedes' top scorer in a tough 2013 DTM season for the marque as he took fourth place in the standings, while Wickens claimed his maiden win last year at the Nurburgring.

Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff believes this year's line-up offers a better chance of success.

"Our DTM squad for the 2014 season is a good mix of successful DTM winners such as Gary and Paul, plus aspiring DTM drivers like our Mercedes juniors," said Wolff.

"We clearly did not quite live up to our expectations last season, which is why we intend to do much better in the new season.

"With two DTM champions, two ex-Formula 1 drivers and a bevy of young, well-proven DTM drivers, we will achieve even more race wins this year and aim ultimately to have a good crack at the title."

2014 DTM LINE-UP SO FAR

Audi
Abt: Mattias Ekstrom, Edoardo Mortara, Miguel Molina, Adrien Tambay
Phoenix: Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider
Rosberg: Jamie Green, Nico Muller

BMW
Schnitzer: Bruno Spengler, Martin Tomczyk
RBM: Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand
RMG: Maxime Martin, Marco Wittmann
MTEK: Timo Glock, Antonio Felix da Costa

Mercedes (teams tba)
Gary Paffett
Paul di Resta
Vitaly Petrov
Daniel Juncadella
Robert Wickens
Christian Vietoris
Pascal Wehrlein