The German manufacturer has opted to maintain its roster of full professional drivers in the DTM series for the upcoming year, showcasing continuity and confidence in its lineup.
Among the seasoned drivers returning are Lucas Auer, a nine-time race winner, Maro Engel, who triumphed at Nurburgring and Macau GT. And Luca Stolz, a former GT World Challenge champion, all of whom will continue to represent Mercedes in the category.
Joining this seasoned trio is Arjun Maini, a 26-year-old talent who has recently been elevated to ‘Performance’ driver status within Mercedes’ factory GT team, indicating the brand’s commitment to nurturing young talent alongside experienced campaigners.
However, there have been changes to the lineup as well. David Schumacher and Jusuf Owega will not be part of Mercedes’ DTM program this year.
Despite being the son of former Formula 1 and DTM driver Ralf Schumacher, David struggled to find success in the DTM, with only one top-10 finish in two seasons and criticisms from peers regarding his driving standards.
Owega, on the other hand, had a relatively promising rookie season, securing points in half of the races and finishing 22nd in the championship standings.
With the Landgraf team exiting the ADAC’s flagship series after just one year, Mercedes’ DTM presence is now consolidated to HRT and Winward teams. Engel will be moving to Winward to fill the void left by Schumacher, joining Auer at Winward while Stolz and Maini continue with Hubert Haupt’s squad.
This restructuring means that Mercedes will field only four drivers across two teams in the DTM, marking a considerable reduction compared to previous years. This downsizing is attributed to budget cuts, with the Stuttgart brand trimming its factory-supported cars from six to four for the 2024 season.
Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, expressed optimism about the team’s setup for the upcoming season, emphasizing the competitiveness of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 car. Despite a less prominent presence on the grid, Mercedes aims to be a formidable contenders with its streamlined lineup and strategic focus.
Acknowledging the efforts of Klaus Landgraf and his team for the past season, Wendl hinted at future plans for Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf, promising further announcements in due course.
Stolz, having been the highest-placed Mercedes driver in the 2023 standings with a victory at the Sachsenring, remains a key figure in Mercedes’ aspirations for success in the DTM.
