Image: Red Bull
Red Bull has announced that its two-car entry into the GT3-based DTM series will consist of two Ferraris driven by three-time 24-hour GTE Pro winner AF Corse from Le Mans.
The Austrian company announced last month its plan to return to the German championship with Liam Lawson and ex-Formula 1 driver Alexander Albon.
The make-up of the entry has now been completed with the confirmation that the Italian organization AF Corse will prepare both Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020.
In addition, Nick Cassidy has been added to the line-up and, depending on the availability of each driver, will share curves in the Alpha Tauri brand car with Albon.
Albon continues to work as a test and reserve driver for the Red Bull Racing F1 team, although he is no longer full-time, while 2017 Super GT Champion Cassidy will drive for Envision Virgin in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The partnership between Red Bull and AF Corse marks the first Ferrari entry into the DTM, which has adopted the FIA GT3 regulations for its 2021 season.
Red Bull was previously involved in the series as a supporter of Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom, who won the 2004 and 2007 drivers’ championships.
AF Corse runs the Ferrari factory GTE program in the FIA World Endurance Championship and last year won the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe with the AWS Endurance Cup title.
“Both Red Bull and Ferrari are leading global players who represent an absolute success in the world of motorsport and beyond,” said DTM boss Gerhard Berger.
“We are very pleased to be bringing these two top brands together in a unique project in the DTM, where they will come together to win the prestigious championship.
“The unprecedented collaboration between the three top-class drivers is particularly promising: Formula 1 driver and podium finisher Alex Albon, GT professional and multiple race winner Nick Cassidy and young talent Liam Lawson in one team – it’s the perfect mix that will make it hold the tension in the coming DTM season is high. “
Amato Ferrari, Team Principal at AF Corse, added: “This challenge began thanks to Gerhard Berger. The idea is his.
“In a short time we agreed to work with Red Bull with great enthusiasm.
“We only have one ambition: victory. Given the brands involved, all the requirements are in place to be successful. “
As already announced, both Albon and the 18-year-old open-wheel racing driver Lawson will make their GT racing debuts in the DTM.
Lawson’s New Zealand compatriot Cassidy has the most sports car experience in the group, having raced regularly in the GT500 with Toyota and Lexus teams for several years.
The super formula champion also drove a GT3 Ferrari in the 2019 editions of the Total 24 Hours of Spa and the Suzuka 10 Hours, which he contested with HubAuto Racing.
Image: Red Bull
Image: Red Bull
Image: Red Bull
Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365 who covers the FIA World Endurance Championship, AWS’s GT World Challenge Europe and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among others.
