Audi slams the failure of the DTM to abolish performance weights

Audi Sport has released a statement criticising the DTM organiser’s failure to abolish the controversial performance weights system, as well as vented frustration at a number of proposed technical changes ahead of the 2018 season.

DTM promoter Gerhard Berger has made it clear that for “sporting reasons”, he wants to get rid of the performance weight system in the DTM, which allocates weight to each of the three manufacturers’ cars based on the results from each weekend.

For a mid-season rule change, all manufacturers need to agree, and it’s understood that BMW decided to vote against removing the performance weight regulation, which Audi has indirectly criticised in a statement released on the eve of the Nürburgring race.

Audi had initially been in favour of the performance weights system when it was introduced. “The basic idea of the performance weights was to make the on track competition was close as possible,” said Gass. “We wanted to offer exciting motorsport working with a multi-year homologation, to ensure the competitiveness and chances for victory of all drivers and brands.”

For this season, the performance weight calculations were based on qualifying, which were then changed to a race-based approach ahead of the third round of the championship at the Hungaroring. After suspicions were raised about manufacturers ordering drivers to complete ‘target laps’ to influence the weight calculation, a new system was approved ahead of the fifth round at the Moscow Raceway, with DTM scrapping the proposal on Friday evening.

Discussions have since been ongoing, with both Mercedes DTM head Ulrich Fritz and ITR chairman Gerhard Berger in agreement about their preference to abolish the system altogether, but a meeting of the DTM commission ahead of Zandvoort were unsuccessful in finding an alternative solution.

“We are at a point where this goal is missed by miles, and the system of performance weights leads to absurdity,” siad Gass. “(The) best example is the weight reduction for a manufacturer (BMW) after three race wins,” added Gass. The BMW M4s will start the Nürburgring weekend on a base weight of 1,107.5kg, while the Audi RS 5 DTMs will run at 1,132.5kg.

“The proposal introduced by the ITR had two variants, which not only included the immediate abolition of the performance weights, but at the same time looked at the 2018 season,” said Berger to Motorsport-Total. “The question to answer was how we should abolish the weights without having to open the regulations for expensive further developments in return,” he added.

One of the proposals was to standardise some areas of the cars, including the wheel arches, which was understood to have been rejected by Audi Sport.

“We at Audi are hoping for an immediate abolition of the performance weights, without this being linked to a new performance balance among the manufacturers, or a hasty change in the homologation for 2018,” said Gass. “We are openly opposed to an opening or altering the homologation during the course of the season, and on the basis of the races then driven with the same weight. ”

“This is also the reason why we were unable to agree with the ITR proposal discussed at the DTM commission before Zandvoort, which contained a standardisation of the wheel arches and aerodynamic areas, because this compromise would have absolutely unpredictable consequences,” he continued.

“The impact on individual vehicles would not only be different but also completely incalculable, which would be equivalent to a lottery. This solution would not be cost-effective at all, since extensive tests would be necessary for completely new aerodynamics.”

”From our point of view it would be more sensible to open the homologation in these areas for all. Everyone could further develop within the scope of the regulations. This is certainly no guarantee for one balanced performance among the manufacturers but, in view of the overheated discussion, a fair sporting compromise.”

“I still have not given up the hope that we will be able to see sense and for the benefit of the DTM find a fast solution, but the fact is that this gets harder with every race,” he concluded.