DTM start at the weekend: Clear the stage for Berger's horsepower spectacle! 

Created: 04/30/2022, 08:59

The first chairman of the ITR, the umbrella organization of the DTM: Gerhard Berger.

He promises excitement and tough racing at the start of the 2022 DTM in Portimao.

© IMAGO / SKATA

The DTM starts in Portimao at the weekend.

Series boss Gerhard Berger promises excitement and hard racing in advance.

In the tz interview he reveals his secret of success.

Munich – A bulging field with rally icon Sébastien Loeb and ex-champion Rene Rast at the top: The DTM starts its second season with GT3 cars at the weekend (1.30 p.m., ProSieben and ServusTV) in Portimao.

We spoke to series boss Gerhard Berger (62).

Mr. Berger, what can the fans expect?

Berger: We have a starting field of 29 cars.

At least 15 of them can become champions, probably even 20. Excitement and tough racing are predicted.

Porsche is now also on board, along with Mercedes, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW and Ferrari.

These are brands that all fans want.

I would like to have Japanese and Americans with me.

But that would be the freestyle.

The DTM is a mix of up-and-coming talent and experienced touring car drivers.

There are also legends like the record world champion in rallying, Sebastian Loeb.

Is this explosive cocktail part of the concept?

Berger: Basically yes.

Although I have to say: Sébastian Loeb came on Red Bull's initiative. Of course, I gratefully accepted this suggestion.

He is the record world rally champion, won the “Race of Champions” against superstars like Sébastian Vettel and actually feels at home in anything with four wheels.

He's one of the greatest racers of all time.

It's great to have him for the first race.

I want a direct comparison between the up-and-coming young guns and the old hands.

You were at the Formula 1 race in Imola last week.

Have you spoken to former Formula 1 drivers?

Berger: Yes.

What I found interesting: How the superstars asked about the DTM.

Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen, for example, asked about possible deployments in the DTM.

Or Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion: he would also like to start in the DTM.

Likewise Felipe Massa.

That shows how great the interest is.

My favorite candidate would be Fernando Alonso.

He has a few other things to do first, he told me, but he'll be driving in the DTM at some point.

DTM: Series boss Berger wants to support everyone "who comes from the Schumacher family"

What about Sebastian Vettel or Nico Hulkenberg?

Berger: Hülkenberg is right at the top of my wish list.

He also replaced Sebastian Vettel practically from the sofa in Formula 1.

I would prefer to have Sebastian as a partner.

He's a smart guy who I think needs other things to do in the future than racing.

They also dream of racing on the legendary Nordschleife.

Berger: That would be great, yes.

But that is also a cost issue.

Because the route is over 22 kilometers long, you need a lot of security forces and - as far as the TV presence is concerned - an extremely large number of cameras.

This season David Schumacher drives in the DTM.

How important is he to you?

Berger: Do you always have to put big names in the foreground?

I prefer to market very good motorsport.

But as a young formula talent he is important.

Because he has rough edges and wants to use the DTM as a test bench to find his way into Formula 1.

Sure, I'm aware that the name Schumacher is something special in Germany.

Personally, of course, I want to support everyone who comes from the Schumacher family.

It doesn't matter if it's David or Mick.