Six Porsche 911 GT3 R fight for wins and titles in the 2023 DTM season
The next generation Weissach GT3 race car will now be fielded for the first time this year following last year's success, which included three race wins and four further podium finishes. The customer teams at Porsche hand over the controls to experienced drivers and young professionals. Porsche has increased its team size from last year to six race vehicles. The 2023 DTM consists of 16 races that are held at 8 different venues between May and October, and is now being held for the first time under the auspices of ADAC. The series will be taken on by 13 Teams from six different manufacturers.
According to Sebastian Golz, project manager for the Porsche 911 GT3 R, "2023 marks the beginning of a new era in the DTM, and we're superbly represented with six 911 GT3 R." We have strong partners on our side in Toksport WRT, Team75 Bernhard, and Manthey EMA, who we will assist in the DTM. Six outstanding drivers who have competed in GT racing for many years as well as feeder racing series like the Porsche Carrera Cup round out this outstanding effort.
The DTM participation of Team75 Motorsport increases from one to two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs. Timo Bernhard's team, which is owned by the two-time overall Le Mans champion and current Porsche brand ambassador, depends on two incredibly quick experts. Former Porsche Junior and Supercup vice-champion Ayhancan Güven from Turkey has already received DTM experience with guest drives in 2022. Laurin Heinrich, a Porsche Junior from Germany, won the Carrera Cup Deutschland the previous year. He now moves on to the well-known German racing series with the Saarpfalz team.
The fact that we are running two vehicles this year is amazing. This was our clear aim after a fantastic debut season that included two victories, says Timo Bernhard. "Our drivers are in a really strong position for us. Ayhancan has extensive GT3 racing knowledge. He is familiar with all the racetracks and the appropriate tires. One of the most intriguing up-and-coming stars, in my opinion, is Laurin. The learning curve for him will be high. Our group has been strengthened. Everyone is incredibly driven. We'll be able to follow the play with ease, I'm sure.
The DTM experience is greatest among the Manthey EMA driver lineup. Thomas Preining, a works driver who competed for Team75 Motorsport in the 2022 championship race all the way until the final race weekend, will join the squad this season from the Eifel. The second car is driven by the Norwegian Dennis Olsen, another winner of a DTM race in 2022. Managing Director Nicolas Raeder said, "I'm happy that we have the chance to return to the DTM with Manthey after 21 years."
"In recent years, Porsche Motorsport's attention has been focused on the WEC competitions as well as on the Nordschleife with our 911 GT3 R, which our fans have dubbed 'Grello. We're going to embark on a brand-new endeavor with EMA Motorsport. Thomas and Dennis are two quick drivers with DTM background. The crew is really enthusiastic, and we want to use Manthey EMA in the 2023 DTM season to show what we are capable of.
Another Porsche customer team joins the DTM for the 2023 season in Toksport WRT. The Quiddelbach team, which is located near to the Nürburgring, depends on the combination of youth and expertise in the two cockpits of the roughly 416 kW (565 PS) Porsche 911 GT3 R. German racer Christian Engelhart participated in two DTM events last season. Tim Heinemann, a young German with two DTM Trophy championships under his belt, moves up the professional ladder into the GT3 division. Sarper Sabuncu, team manager for Toksport, says, "After obtaining our initial experiences with Porsche in endurance racing, we're now entering the spectacular sprint stage. We are so excited to race the two Porsche 911 GT3 R. Our race vehicles will be driven by a two-time DTM Trophy winner and an ADAC GT Masters champion. We'll take full advantage of the preseason evaluations and be completely prepared when the season begins.
Drivers’ comments on the 2023 season
Laurin Heinrich (Team75 Bernhard): “After winning the title in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, I’m now tackling the DTM – it’s a dream come true for me. Being able to take this step with Timo Bernhard’s team makes everything that much better. Like me, Timo was a Porsche Junior. He won the Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2001, the year I was born. I’m following in his footsteps, so to speak. The fact that we’re now joining forces makes me very happy. I’m sure that this will result in a strong performance.”
Thomas Preining (Manthey EMA): “I got to know the Manthey EMA squad at my outing in Bathurst at the beginning of February. That was very impressive. The team is extremely good and highly professional. They’re dedicated workers. I like that very much. We speak the same language and communicate very openly. That’s enormously important when working together in the DTM. We’re already systematically working as a team towards the start of the season. I’m looking forward to finally getting underway at Oschersleben. I’m confident we’ll have a great season.”
Christian Engelhart (Toksport WRT): “I’m really looking forward to the DTM with Porsche and my Toksport WRT team. After a long winter with lots of talks, it’s finally getting underway. The challenge with our new car – the newest generation Porsche 911 GT3 R – and ADAC’s new DTM platform is huge and right up my alley. We’ll use the time between now and the opening round to quickly consolidate as a team and arrive at the start as well-prepared as possible. Huge thanks to Porsche and Toksport WRT for their trust. Now it’s time to step on the gas!