Well, this is sad news. In a euphemistically phrased "realigning of the brand's motorsport programme", Audi has decided that it will not extend its DTM commitment beyond 2020. It follows Mercedes' decision to pull out, and an Aston dalliance that only lasted a single season. At present, it would leave just BMW competing in 2021, but you don't need us to tell you how uninteresting a one-make DTM would be. Who would want to compete in that? And would want to watch it?
Audi's justification is the predictable one: "To drive our transformation into a provider of sporty, sustainable electric mobility forward." Of course, the world's current predicament will have made culling a factory touring car effort a lot easier to justify, though it appears the move towards EV motorsport - as with Mercedes - was the main motivting factor.
Which, quite frankly, is a crying shame. Oh sure, people will crow that DTM ain't what it used to be, but watch those 650hp turbocharged cars for five minutes and say they're not interesting. BMW versus Audi versus Mercedes, the battle for the autobahn taken to Hockenheim, Oschersleben, the Norisring and more, captivating motorsport fans for decades. And now it won't probably happen ever again. Or at least not with engines; any future multi-brand tin-top racing in Germany will have to be electric, if it's going to happen at all.
Audi says it will not focus its efforts into "systematically competing for tomorrow's 'Vorsprung'", whatever the heck that means, with Formula E offering "a very attractive platform for this" alongside "other progressive motorsport formats". Sigh. (It should be noted that Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler has been the most successful Formula E team thus far, with 41 trophies, but don't let that spoil the collective melancholy).
Audi leaves behind a formidable DTM legacy, and that's before considering anything that might be achieved with a truncated 2020 season - there's the small matter of three championships to defend. From 1990-92 with those incredible V8s, then from 2000 to now with various A4s, TTs and A5s, Audi has taken 23 championships (across drivers, teams and manufacturers), 114 wins, 106 pole positions and 112 fastest laps. When Audi says it "shaped the DTM", there's little possibility of any disagreement.
And very soon it'll all be done, another huge manufacturer focussing its efforts on electrified racing. Alright, that's not entirely accurate, with customer motorsport (the R8 and RS3 LMS, for example) also running alongside the Formula E commitment. Even so quitting the DTM remains a significant move and, for what it's worth, an immensely disappointing decision for touring car fans. But thank you for memories, Audi, because they're certainly damn good ones - let's hope those of the future can match them.
1 / 11
