New DTM chief Berger believes series can't drop below 18 cars
The new chairman of DTM promoter ITR, Gerhard Berger believes this year's drop to 18 cars is "the absolute minimum" the series can afford
Audi, BMW and Mercedes have cut their car counts from eight each to six for 2017, leading to an overall reduction of the grid from 24 entries to 18.
That figure was last seen in 2011, the year before BMW rejoined the DTM, and ex-Formula 1 driver Berger - appointed to his role last month after a board shake-up - does not believe the championship should be running with a field any smaller.
"18 vehicles are OK but from my point of view, this is the absolute minimum," he said.
"For the future I would love to again see a bigger DTM grid.
"Nonetheless, I expect the championship to be really thrilling and the regulation changes will contribute to the excitement.
"We will use the 2017 season to exactly analyse the actual condition.
"Then we get together with the manufacturers to set the course for the coming years.
"While doing so it's of maximum importance to always keep an eye on what the fans want and provide good sport.
"And then we will keep on enhancing DTM step by step with the appropriate measures."
The DTM has made further changes to its race formats for this year, with races on Saturday and Sunday to run to the same duration and feature pitstops.
It also has a new technical platform, albeit without new engines that were originally scheduled as part of a tie-up with the Japanese Super GT class.
The move to turbo, four-cylinder units has been postponed to 2019 on the grounds of amortising development costs for its existing three manufacturers.
Since its rebirth in 2000, the DTM has never had four manufacturers, and Berger acknowledges a new participant is not currently on the radar.
"If we keep on strengthening the DTM platform the series also will become interesting for other manufacturers," he said.
"That's something I am positive about.
"But at this point in time we aren't in concrete conversations."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Suzuki didn't see its tough start to 2017 MotoGP season coming
Miller sick of Honda MotoGP bike's continued acceleration deficit
The winners and losers of MotoGP's reshuffle
Red Bull in no rush to finalise 2025 F1 line-up
Oliveira reckons MotoGP “looks too easy” on TV now
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
WEC Imola: Ye fastest to lead Ferrari 1-2 in practice
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir
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.
Top Comments