DTM LOOKING AT MOVE TO SILVERSTONE FOR 2020
Northamptonshire venue could replace Brands Hatch on calendar
The DTM has approached Silverstone to discuss the possibility of moving its British race from Brands Hatch to the British Grand Prix venue, MN understands.
The Silverstone talks follow confirmation that the DTM will switch to a current F1 circuit for its other ‘away’ round – moving its Italian event to Monza for 2020 after struggling to gain a foothold in Italy at Misano in the last two years.
Like Misano, Brands Hatch had a difficult start on the calendar. But Brands then made a vast improvement this year, which was aided by a change of approach to marketing the event and the attraction of the new-for-2019 W Series being on the bill.
DTM boss Gerhard Berger said at this year’s Brands race that there was scope for the DTM to grow a stronger presence at the circuit, making the Silverstone approach a surprise.
An ITR spokesperson told MN: “When it comes to the creation of the DTM race calendar, ITR always has to consider alternatives and options. It goes without saying that we want to race in a market as important as the UK next year.”
It is understood that the DTM doubled its total number of spectators at Brands Hatch this year compared to 2018.
The DTM has not raced at Silverstone since its International Touring Car Championship variant visited it in 1996, with Klaus Ludwig (Opel) and Gabriele Tarquini (Alfa Romeo) sharing the wins.
The last 10 DTM events in Britain have taken place at Brands Hatch across the 2006-19 period, with the last two seasons featuring the full Grand Prix circuit rather than the Indy layout.
The series also visited Donington Park in 2002/03, but that track is understood not to be a candidate for any move away from Brands.