[DTM] Why there is no good solution for DTM's dilemma

[DS"]

Here's another thought of mine:


Why doesn't the ITR double down on their idea of a world championship? I remember when the WTCR was launched, it was only supposed to be run for two or three years. Then, a new WTCC with Class One regulations was supposed to launch. There were some rumours that Mercedes and Hans-Werner Aufrecht were involved with it - HWA in particular as revenge, as he was replaced by Gerhard Berger as the head of the ITR. Berger himself also debunked those rumours, stating that he wasn't cooperating with the FIA in that matter.

But what do we have now? DTM is close to dying, no one besides BMW and perhaps the remaining Audi teams are interested in racing in Germany or Central Europe. At the same time, WTCR isn't doing well either. Now it's still more expensive to run Class One cars all over the world than TCR. But if the ITR and FIA can come up with a) a reasonable cost-plan for a class one series and b) a reasonable long-term plan to go Hybrid and eventually all-electric, maybe some manufacturers will bite. Volvo was close to entering DTM in the mid-10's, but decided against it, because they were still running naturally aspirated V8s back then. Maybe they're willing to enter a world championship that will align with their brand vision in the long term.

Honda could be another candidate. While they ruled out any other form of racing besides Formula One and Super GT for now, a WTCC, where they could run the same cars as in Super GT, could be interesting for them as well? Maybe even Audi could be convinced to stay with class one, if it means contesting for a world championship.

A world championship with BMW, Honda, Volvo, maybe Audi, maybe even those Aston Martins, may not save DTM, but could save class one racing? If anyone could talk to Jean Todt about it, it's Gerhard Berger. Maybe he has already talked to him, who knows.