Motorsport has lacked new and inspiring concept up until now, says ITR

Motorsport has lacked a ‘truly and new and inspiring concept until now’ ITR’s chairman Gerhard Berger has said, following its radical vision of the future of DTM. 

ITR chairman Gerhard Berger insisted it’s ‘thinking on a several steps ahead’, in a bid ‘to shape the future of Motorsport’, which is why it will launch touring car using electric vehicles powered by battery or hydrogen fuel cell technology.

He said: “We’re working on a variety of different projects that incorporate more sustainable technologies. They say, in motorsport, if you stand still you go backwards – so we’re thinking several steps ahead. That’s what you have to do if you want to shape the future of motorsport.

“At the same time, we need to be open-minded about what’s happening in the automotive world. And although hybrid and electric vehicles have established something of a foothold, I think motorsport has been lacking a truly new and inspiring concept up until now. We’re now talking with a significant number of automotive manufacturers and suppliers who would like to become more involved in motorsport. This proposal offers them a first look at something tangible – and exciting.”

Berger  says the concept is currently ‘a possible expansion of ITR’s portfolio on the DTM platform.’ ITR is also working on a hybrid proposal for DTM and has also begun trialling new more environmentally friendly synthetic fuels.

Despite of his recent criticism over Formula E and electric mobility, Berger insists
his criticism was directed at the sport itself.

He commented: “I’ve always said that Formula E is justified as a marketing platform, and that I can understand why many companies are getting involved. My criticism was directed at the sport itself, because I think the cars are too slow and the driving style too strongly characterised by strategy and energy management.

“The cars showcased in our conceptual study offer something completely different. Here, we’re talking about high-performance racing cars which – just as in DTM – are fast, spectacular, and able to race wheel to wheel. Another benefit is the fact that these cars will look like the cars you can buy at a dealership – they’ll be recognisable and distinct to each brand manufacturer. So, fans will be able to identify with these machines.”

Before the concept will be implemented ITR will have to take a number of factors into consideration Berger said. He commented: “First of all, technical feasibility. But we’ve been investigating this area quite intensively, and now need to draw on the expertise of specialists as we continue to evaluate its feasibility. This includes battery and robot manufacturers, for example, when you consider the ambitious and ground-breaking technology for the pit-stops. Naturally, financing the development also plays a major role – you have to get that properly balanced.”