The 2024 DTM season is set to begin with only 20 cars entered, the lowest number of entries since the series switched to GT3 regulations. Several factors have been attributed to this decline, including high operating costs, reduced manufacturer support, and economic conditions at large. Last year, a total of 28 drivers participated in the championship, making the contrast quite stark.
Despite the decrease in overall entries, 17 drivers from the 2023 season are making a return to the DTM this year. Among them are well-known names such as Marco Wittmann, Rene Rast, Lucas Auer, Maro Engel, and defending champion Thomas Preining. Additionally, Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Nicki Thiim is making a comeback, joining the SSR Performance Lamborghini team after a challenging debut with T3 Motorsport in 2022.
Kelvin van der Linde, a previous DTM champion and one of the top drivers on the grid, has expressed confidence in the quality of competition despite the decrease in the number of cars. He emphasized that all the big names in the championship are still present, which is crucial for maintaining the prestige of the series. According to van der Linde, having the best drivers on the grid automatically elevates the level of competition.
The GT3 era of the DTM has been marred by several high-profile crashes, with incidents at the Norisring and Hockenheim circuits drawing particular attention. In 2022, the chaos at Hockenheim was so severe that six drivers had to sit out the final race due to damage. Last year, two separate pile-ups during a race at the Sachsenring led to a red flag, with numerous cars sustaining significant damage.
Despite the concerns surrounding a smaller grid size, van der Linde sees a potential upside in terms of safety. With fewer cars on the track, the risk of first-lap collisions may be mitigated, reducing the likelihood of accidents like those seen in previous seasons. The South African driver believes that a more controlled field could lead to less chaos and more strategic racing.
The decline in participation for the 2024 DTM season raises important questions about the future of the championship. While the decrease in the number of cars is notable, the continued presence of top drivers and the potential for enhanced safety on the track offer some reassurance. As the season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how these developments impact the overall dynamics of the DTM and whether changes are needed to ensure the long-term success of the series.
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