DTM champion Wittmann backs reduced 2017 field

The DTM will have an 18-car field in 2017, with each of the three manufacturers – Audi, BMW, and Mercedes – cutting back to six cars instead of eight they have run up to now.

According to Wittmann, that change will combine well with the new chassis and aero rules to create a better on-track product from 2017 onwards.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a bad move,” he said when asked about the reduction in grid size. “I would rather look at it as the last six cars are disappearing. It will be closer, it will be more challenging, because it’s only 18 cars on the grid.

“I think it’s a good move, especially with the new regulations, new tyres, and new car-spec for 2017. We are going to have an even better show, and even better racing.

“That was our aim for the future, to make the DTM more interesting and spectacular for the fans. I hope that we’re going to achieve that.”

Mercedes confirmed back in October that Mucke and ART Grand Prix will leave the DTM as part of the reduction, while BMW – for whom Wittmann this year won a second DTM title – will shift Team MTEK and Team Schnitzer away from its DTM programme.

Speaking of the new-spec car, Wittmann says he’s not expecting to drive it in full 2017-trim until as late as possible before the start of the season.

“It will be about March, I guess. Maybe February, but I don’t know,” he added, during a recent trip to to Australia to test the BMW M6 GT3 at Bathurst.

“The engineers are trying to bring it out as late as possible, to extract the most out of it and get the most potential out of it – and of course keep it a bit hidden from the competitors. Let’s see.”

Title win “something great”

Having suffered a tough 2015 season after his maiden title win in 2014, Wittmann reiterated that it was satisfying to get the job done a second time in 2016, overcoming a stiff challenge from Audi's Edoardo Mortara.

“This year was really a great season,” said Wittmann. “In 2014, my first win in DTM, that was something special, something very emotional. To be honest I didn’t expect to win the championship so early [in my career].

“Then in 2015 it was tough in general for BMW. We weren’t that strong that year, although I still finished fifth in the championship, which is not too bad, but certainly wasn’t our aim.

“To come back in 2016 and win the title was something great. Even in 2016 we didn’t have the quickest car on track, but I think we were the most consistent, and made fewer mistakes than the rest.

"We collected points when the others made their mistakes.”