Berger: DTM wasn't right place for MotoGP ace Rossi's first GT3 season
Gerhard Berger feels 2022 was “not the right time” for MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi to enter the DTM, saying he needs more time to become competitive in GT3 machinery.
Rossi announced a widely-expected switch to car racing at the beginning of this year, having brought down the curtain to a glorious 26-year stint in grand prix motorcycle racing that yielded nine titles across all three classes.
While the DTM was considered by many to be one of the most attractive options for Rossi, especially after the championship’s switch to more affordable GT3 cars last year, the 43-year-old will instead be racing in SRO’s GT World Challenge Europe series in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 entered by WRT.
While the DTM has missed out on A-list attraction as it seeks to build upon a largely successful first season using GT3 cars, Berger says it is in Rossi best interests to learn the trade in GTWCE before moving to an all-professional sprint racing series like the DTM.
“I think he's very focused at the moment to build up his team in MotoGP, and I think he likes to get into a little bit soft landing with long distance [racing] just to get used a little bit to the cars,” said Berger.
“I think from timing wise it's not the right time [for him to be in the DTM], so I think he is right what he's doing.
“I would love to have him. You know, it would be a fantastic name, but it needs to fit.
"Because you need to see a competitive Valentino. And to be competitive in DTM you need a little bit of time. So I think it's good what he's doing, and then we will see later on.”
Berger said he didn’t get a chance to personally speak to Rossi last year about a potential foray into the DTM, but did hold talks with his management team regarding the Italian’s post-MotoGP options.
“We didn't have a direct chat last year,” he said. “In the years before, yes. But last year we didn't.
“I spoke a little bit with his management, but nothing [came of those conversations]. I think [he is] busy with building up his team, and start to get a little bit of experience in the car before he is doing something."
Guest outing not ruled out
Valentino Rossi, WRT
Photo by: GT World Challenge
Rossi came close to making his DTM debut as a guest driver at Misano in 2019, where he would have been pitched against MotoGP rival Andrea Dovizioso in an Audi vs BMW fight.
Rossi later revealed in a TV interview that he had promised Berger that he would make a one-off DTM appearance in the near future, although the planned outing never materialised.
While the DTM will have to cut down on guest entries this year due to a bumper full-season grid, series’ event director Frederic Elsner says he would be happy to accommodate Rossi should he show interest in racing in the series.
"If he wants to come, then he is very welcome! That would definitely be a guest starter that we would allow, for example in Imola," said Elsner.
"But it's not like we're saying, ‘that didn't work out, now we'll try by hook or by crook to get him for a guest start.”
Related video
Red Bull signs Fraga, Cassidy for 2022 DTM season
Loeb tests for Red Bull Ferrari team, linked to DTM race seat
WRC Rally Sweden: Everything you need to know
The World Rally Championship heads to the snow covered roads of Sweden for the second round of the season this weekend. Here's everything you need to know.
How the last Sauber-built Alfa offers F1 2023 evolution clues
Alfa Romeo has become the first Formula 1 team to reveal a new car for 2023, in addition to a fresh livery. This offered a first look at some of the understated changes produced by the revised regulations, along with points of convergence in the second year of the ground effect rules
Alfa Romeo hopes new C43 F1 car is "an all-rounder"
In 2023 the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team starts a three-year transition to its new Audi identity, with just this season to be run in the colours of the Italian manufacturer.
The role themed events have to play in hooking new racing fans
OPINION: There’s lots to look forward to in national motorsport in 2023, and some of the most popular events are set to be those with a strong focus
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The season just gone was a memorable one for many of our staff writers, who are fortunate enough to cover motorsport around the world. Here are our picks of the best (and in some cases, most eventful) from 2022
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
Nyck de Vries’s Italian GP exploits weren’t the first post-eleventh-hour call-up in motorsport history, and won’t be the last either. Here are some offbeat tales from the past
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 a 'classy' champion who rejected politics
Over two decades as a factory driver with Audi and BMW, Martin Tomczyk earned the respect of team-mates and rivals as a hard but fair racer. After calling time on his racing career, the 2011 DTM champion sat down with Autosport to look back
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 star is channeling Rast to achieve 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
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.