F1 News: Alex Albon joins DTM series for 2021 | GRR
Red Bull has announced that Alex Albon, recently replaced as race driver by Sergio Perez, will be competing in select Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) races in 2021.
Albon had a mixed F1 season in 2020, failing to match the pace of team mate Max Verstappen, and despite improving towards the end of the year, was replaced for 2021. Albon continues to have a role as Red Bull’s F1 test and simulator driver but, when these duties allow, will also compete in the German series, which will begin in May. Joining him will be fellow Red Bull athlete Liam Lawson from New Zealand who finished fifth in the 2020 F3 championship.
The DTM series itself is undergoing big changes for the 2021 season and will be run to FIA GT3 rules, meaning a host of machinery from big names outside of the traditional triumvirate of BMW, Audi and Mercedes. The DTM brand is expanding to include eSports, historic racing and all-electric series in the future and has already attracted the from Jenson Button and his race team according to series chief Gerhard Berger.
Berger has stated that his goal for 2021 is to have “20 cars with at least five brands, strong drivers and a battle for the title that goes down to the wire, the final race.” and said that: “Alex Albon is a young, ambitious driver and an outstanding gain for the DTM.”
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.