Di Resta to lead Aston assault on DTM 14 | 02 | 2019

    BATHGATE’S PAUL DI RESTA is to lead Aston Martin’s assault on the DTM, the German touring car championship. The 32-year-old ex-Formula 1 racer won the 2010 DTM title with the HWA-run factory Mercedes team. (Related: Paul di Resta storms to Brands Hatch win)

    “It’s a dream drive, and I can’t wait to get the car on the track for the first time,” Di Resta said. “The opportunity to drive for an iconic British carmaker like Aston Martin is fantastic.”

    In the wake of Mercedes quitting DTM for this season, and with  HWA now building and developing the Aston Martin Vantage on behalf of Swiss-based R-Motorsport — the team that will run the car — the Scot was always top of the list to race the new car. (Related: Di Resta bags first DTM win of 2018)

    And when he met R-Motorsport chiefs Florian Kamelger and Andreas Baenziger at a DTM round during 2018, Di Resta admits he was immediately convinced by the project.

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    “To be perfectly honest, I was convinced from my very first meeting with Florian and Andreas,” he explained. “We had a 20-minute chat over a cup of coffee in the paddock last year, and I was immediately convinced of their ambition and passion for this project.

    “It’s worth remembering that I’ve also worked with HWA since my Formula 3 days, and I strongly believe they’re the stand-out organisation in every series they contest. They were one of the big reasons behind Mercedes’ DTM success, and I’ve got absolute trust and belief that R-Motorsport can do the job.

    “After Mercedes’ withdrawal last year, R-Motorsport’s Aston Martin announcement really lifted everyone’s spirits. Everyone’s so eager to be part of this and, believe me, they mean serious business. The whole organisation is totally professional and 100% focused. I think we can do this.”

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    In addition to being the team’s No1 driver — its second Aston Martin will be raced by fellow Brit, 23-year-old Englishman Jake Dennis — Di Resta will help lead the development path of DTM’s newest marque.

    “Coming in at ground level with an all-new DTM brand was one of the main things I discussed with R-Motorsport when we started the initial talks,” the Scot admitted.

    “It won’t be an easy task: we’re a relatively small outfit up against two of the best manufacturers in the world, but they need me to help the development of the project. I know what I can bring to this, and I believe this is going to be good.”

    The 18-race season, which visits nine venues — including Brands Hatch, in Kent, where the Scot won in 2018, on August 10-11 — gets underway with the traditional season-opener at Hockenheim on May 3-5.

    Related: Scots Aston Martin dealer is World No1

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    Jim McGill

     

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