There was a great degree of surprise in the DTM paddock when Abt took the covers off its 2024 challenger at the Hockenheim finale last month. A shiny new Audi R8 LMS was showcased late in the evening to a huge hoard of photographers and journalists, with the car sporting the famous blue-and-red livery that has become a distinct identity of Red Bull in motorsport.
While confirming that Abt will continue its long-standing relationship with Audi despite the German manufacturer’s decision to curtailing its GT3 programme, the reveal also marked the start of a new partnership with Red Bull, a brand that had heavily been involved in the DTM in the past.
Most recently, Red Bull fielded its own team in the DTM between 2021-22, giving race opportunities to the likes of Liam Lawson, Alex Albon and Nick Cassidy.
But Red Bull’s most recent involvement in the DTM came largely thanks to series owner Gerhard Berger, who wanted a major brand to help promote the championship following the demise of the manufacturer-led Class 1 era. So when Berger sold the DTM to German automobile club ADAC at the end of last year, Red Bull also followed the Austrian through the door, leaving a major hole in the series.
Nobody would have expected such Red Bull to return to the DTM in the future, but Abt has managed to strike a deal to bring the brand after an absence of just one season - and at a crucial juncture as it prepares for a future independent of Audi.
Source: Autosport