Photo: Audi

WRT to run customer Audi programme in 2019

By

Audi has revealed that WRT will make the move into the DTM running a customer programme in the 2019 season.

The Belgian outfit, best known for its success in GT racing but also a front-runner in TCR competition, will field a pair of Audi RS 5 models when it makes its debut in the series next year.

WRT become the first customer team in the series with the announcement coming a day after the news that Aston Martin are to join the grid to replace the departing Mercedes.

“Together with the ITR, we have been working hard over the past few months to reopen the DTM for customer teams,” Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass said. “We are pleased to present the first customer team of the new DTM era. I know Vincent Vosse and his team very well from Super Touring and the many years we worked together in GT racing.

“I know how strong the WRT team is. I am convinced that WRT also has the potential to establish itself in the DTM.”

Current Audi DTM drivers Robin Frijns, Nico Müller and René Rast have all competed for WRT in the past and as one of Audi’s most successful customer outfits, team principal Vincent Vosse said a move to the DTM was a logical one.

“Moving up the ranks to the DTM was a dream for us,” he said. “As part of the Audi family, we have followed the DTM with interest. This has always been a very strong platform. The time to get started was never better than it is now: in 2019, the new 2.0-liter turbo engines will be used for the first time.

“All of the teams will be starting from scratch with the new engines. We will get the same equipment as the factory teams. That makes the DTM so interesting for us and certainly also in the future for other teams.”