Photo: Formula E.
Nick Cassidy will accompany AF Corse to the DTM season finale at the Norisring, while Alex Albon will concentrate on his F1 reserve and test driver commitments at the Turkish Grand Prix.
Cassidy is slated for his first appearance in the 2021 DTM season, having been appointed as a backup member of the Red Bull / AF Corse Ferrari line-up prior to the start of the season.
Albon’s role in the Red Bull Racing F1 team at the rescheduled Turkish Grand Prix overlaps with the Norisring DTM game, which has also been postponed to a new date.
Cassidy drove full-time for Envision Virgin Racing in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship this year, claiming two pole positions and two second places.
The New Zealander will support Red Bull AF Corse driver Liam Lawson, who is leading the DTM championship by 14 points, while the two Norisring races are still outstanding this weekend.
With a race win at the Nürburgring and podium places in Monza, Zolder and Hockenheim, the sports car rookie Albon is currently fifth in the table.
“At the beginning of the season it was a reality that Alex and Nick would share the driving duties of the Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse, because we couldn’t predict how the changes would change for both of them [F1 and DTM] Racing calendar would influence our driver line-up, ”says Red Bull Motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko.
“It is regrettable that both the races in Istanbul and at the Norisring were changed during the season in order to create a conflict in the availability of Alex for the final race of the DTM season.
“Given the commitment Alex has shown for the DTM this season, the decision was not an easy one, but Alex’s duties in Istanbul will be necessary.
“We know that Nick has been waiting for his opportunity to drive the Ferrari and above all to support Red Bull AlphaTauri AF Corse and Liam in winning both the team and drivers’ championships at the Norisring this weekend.”
Cassidy is about to get his first DTM points race, even though he took part in the 2019 Class One exhibition races between the Super GT and the German championship.
The 27-year-old has already gained experience with Ferrari GT3 machines as he drove for HubAuto Corsa in the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli.
“I’m very excited to be joining the team,” said Cassidy.
“It’s been great to follow Liam and Alex this season, they’ve just done a great job so far. I am now looking forward to the Norisring.
“I like the track a lot, I’ve already driven there in Formula 3.
“I feel like a rookie in the DTM, but it should be pretty exciting and I hope that I can help the team secure the team championship this season.”
Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365 covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among others.
