Red Bull have announced that they are returning to DTM for the 2021 season, with their F1 Test Driver – Alex Albon driving one of the cars in a three driver line-up.
The team has teamed up with AF Corse in which Albon and Nick Cassidy will share one of the cars alongside Formula Two driver, Liam Lawson who will run an entire season in the series alongside his F2 duties for Hitech GP.
Having spent his career so far in single-seater, Lawson admitted that DTM is set to be an exciting challenge, saying: “GT racing is going to be very new to me. I am super excited for this opportunity in such a high-level series with world class drivers…”
Albon meanwhile is sharing his AlphaTauri branded car and expects a tough challenge compared to F1, as he said: “There’s a lot less downforce and the tires are very different, so it requires a different kind of driving style.”
The Thai driver therefore hasn’t put a timeframe on any targets as he feels that patience is needed in adapting to the car, saying: “It will take a bit of time to get used to, but I’m looking forward to a new racing challenge when I’m available outside of my existing F1 commitments.”
In partnership with AF Corse, Red Bull will feel two Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 cars with the former’s Team Principal and owner, Amato Ferrari praising Gerhard Berger for creating the idea to work alongside Red Bull.
Speaking on the link-up, Ferrari said: “In a short time, we have reached the agreement to work with Red Bull with great enthusiasm,” with the 54 year-old continuing, “We have just one ambition: victory.”
Berger also commented on the partnership in which he is ‘very delighted’ to pull Red Bull and Ferrari together for this special collaboration in DTM, with a special focus on winning the championship.
DTM will open their 2021 season in June at Monza from 18-20 June with 16 races spread across eight rounds at eight different circuits, concluding at the Hockenheimring on 3 October.