DTM 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours

[flor]

"I won't stop doing things with Mercedes though. We will announce something soon."

i heard there is a free cockpit at mclaren

[FIRE]

[helgi]

DTM is going to get new antifans,as it had happened after Alesi retirement.

[Bleu]

So who will take Häkkinen's place in new Mercedes car. Paffett and di Resta had older cars this year, I think one of those will go to new car then.

[helgi]

I think,Paffett will.Di Resta will get 07 car.It won't be slower than the latest spec.So Mercedes is getting two competitive cars in their battle for the first places.From this point of view,Mercedes became even more stronger.

[Ellmau]

I think Di Resta will. He was faster than Paffett all year. If Di Resta doesn't deserve a new car for what he has achieved this year, no one does

[FIRE]

Di Resta?
Paffet?
Albers?

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Albers?

[Alex K]

:-o Whoz wrong with him?

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by Alex K

:-o Whoz wrong with him?

I don't think Ellmau was around when Albers was in the series

[Robbe]

I don't expect Albers to be back in the DTM for Mercedes, IIRC there was no "friendly" split (Albers talking to F1 teams without informing Mercedes).

He certainly wasn't bad in DTM though.

[Bramzel]

He still is good friends with Norbert Haug though, so it could still be an option.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

He still is good friends with Norbert Haug though, so it could still be an option.

Again I must say, although a little less loud. Have you missed their fight at Zandvoort in his last year in DTM? Ok, in the end they kissed and made up, but their relationship has cooled down a lot.

And yes, Albers has performed in DTM before, but that has been a while. In the mean time, he's made himselve look like a complete idiot in F1, and you know how it goes, you're as good as your last race. I don't believe Albers would be prefered for a 2008 car over drivers like Di Resta or Paffett.

[FIRE]

To be honest I don't think Albers will get a 2008 car, but a 2007 car would not suprise me. In Holland the interest in DTM has decreased the last few years. To give DTM a boost a Dutch driver at Mercedes or Audi would help.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by FIRE

To be honest I don't think Albers will get a 2008 car, but a 2007 car would not suprise me. In Holland the interest in DTM has decreased the last few years. To give DTM a boost a Dutch driver at Mercedes or Audi would help.

I think Jeroen would be a better choise to that, don't you think so?

[FIRE]

He's quick too. I don't know if he's a better choice. IMO Bleekemolen has to focus on one series instead of all these drives in Porsche Supercup, LMS, BRL, A1GP, etcetera. Despite I am not a fan of Albers he showed his talent when he drove in the factory Mercedes team.

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Magnusson

Other than that, if you're a manufacteror and want to spend not so big bucks targeting the European market (i.e. no F1), Le Mans would be my main choice. It's well-known, easily marketable and affordable (well, relatively), and you'll reach people all over Europe and more. What would you rather have, "Le Mans winner" or "DTM winner" on your car outside of Germany? I know what I would pick.

I personally would pick WTCC and/or national TCCs - you can develop one model of car and have a bigger presence by running cheaper outfits in the UK/Sweden, or even by flogging your older cars to them.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by FIRE

He's quick too. I don't know if he's a better choice. IMO Bleekemolen has to focus on one series instead of all these drives in Porsche Supercup, LMS, BRL, A1GP, etcetera. Despite I am not a fan of Albers he showed his talent when he drove in the factory Mercedes team.

I don't think he has that much choice. Since he lost his seat in DTM he had nothing left. He drove in BRL that year and won the championship easilly. A1GP is for the winter and the Porsche Supercup came unexpectedly this year because he won the first race he drove this year at monaco. Pure coïnsidence.

I'm not a fan too of Albers, and yes he showed his talent in 2005. But that is already two years ago.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

I personally would pick WTCC and/or national TCCs - you can develop one model of car and have a bigger presence by running cheaper outfits in the UK/Sweden, or even by flogging your older cars to them.

I agree, mostly because people can identify their car with the one that's racing in TC, whereas LMP cars never even look like road cars.

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

I agree, mostly because people can identify their car with the one that's racing in TC, whereas LMP cars never even look like road cars.

Yeah, look at the Pug ... if you peeled of the badges I couldn't tell it was a Pug.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Yeah, look at the Pug ... if you peeled of the badges I couldn't tell it was a Pug.

Not quite. With the rather pronounced noses on the new road-going Pugs, there is a little bit of similarity.

[Ellmau]

I doubt that the average car-buyer would see that resemblance without having loads of beer.

[Go_For_Pole]

According to motorsport-total.com Mercedes will select one of Di Resta, Paffett, Margaritis and la Rosa to replace Mika in the 08 cars.

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Which could hint that they're expecting to loose of their three remaining drivers? Otherwise I couldn't imagine that de la Rosa or Margaritis would be that near an 08 car. Spengler to F1?

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

According to motorsport-total.com Mercedes will select one of Di Resta, Paffett, Margaritis and la Rosa to replace Mika in the 08 cars.

See also http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1602