Mercedes plans nine cars for 2008

According to the German magazine Motorsport Aktuell, Mercedes is considering starting the 2008 DTM season not with ten cars as initially planned but with nine single-seaters.

The German team plans to reduce its costs within the next 2 years. Specifically, there will be four new Mercedes C-Class models in 2008. In the five years that follow, there will only be one new single-seater at the start of each season.

« It is less costly and easier for us over the next two years not to design cars. For example, we wouldn’t have to make many spare parts, » commented Norbert Haug.

The change in model between 2006 and 2007 required a significant investment in spare parts for racing.

« We need to save money. Of course, everyone wants as many cars as possible on the starting grid, but I think it’s better to have a few less, like 18 single-seaters, but make sure they are reliable. This will have no impact on the DTM, » he explained.

Three of the four new Mercedes C-Class cars are likely to be made available to Bernd Schneider, Bruno Spengler, and Jamie Green. Paul di Resta is the main candidate in the running to get the fourth and final new Mercedes.

This would leave Gary Paffett, Mathias Lauda, and Susie Stodart with a 2007 car. If Ralf Schumacher decides to join the DTM, he would also get a 2007 single-seater.

As for Alexandros Margaritis and Daniel la Rosa, they have decided not to continue this adventure with Mercedes next year.

Audi is waiting to see what Mercedes does before making its decision on whether or not to involve 2006 cars.

The organizing bodies of this discipline have promised their sponsors that there will be at least 18 cars on the starting grid in Düsseldorf on April 6th.