Photo credit: www.autosport.com

Tom Kalender Set to Make History in DTM as Youngest Driver

In a groundbreaking development for motorsport, Tom Kalender, the reigning champion of the GT Masters, is poised to claim the title of the youngest driver in DTM history. The 16-year-old will take to the grid for the 2025 season opener at Oschersleben, marking a notable milestone in his burgeoning career.

Signed by Mercedes, Kalender will drive for the Landgraf team, which is returning to the DTM after a successful stint in GT Masters. Last year, Kalender not only shattered the age record in GT Masters but also secured the overall title alongside Finnish driver Elias Seppanen. At the start of the DTM season, he will be just 17 years and 30 days old, breaking a long-held record set by current Porsche Formula E competitor Pascal Wehrlein.

Joining Kalender at Landgraf is Lucas Auer, who will be entering his 10th season in the DTM, marking his ninth year with Mercedes. Auer brings a wealth of experience to the team, enhancing their prospects for the upcoming season.

While Landgraf has been part of Mercedes’ DTM lineup since 2023, the team’s reputation is strongly rooted in its achievements within the GT Masters series, organized by the German automobile association ADAC. The 2024 season saw Kalender and Seppanen deliver Landgraf’s third consecutive title, underscoring their dominance in the championship.

Adding to the excitement, two-time Spa 24 Hours victor Jules Gounon will partner with Maro Engel at Winward Racing. Gounon, who made his DTM debut at the Hockenheim finale last year as a substitute for the ill Luca Stolz, is set to contest the entire 2025 season driving a Mercedes AMG GT3.

In addition to his DTM commitments, Gounon will compete in the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship for the factory Alpine team, racing alongside Frederic Makowiecki and Mick Schumacher. This dual commitment illustrates the growing trend of drivers competing across multiple racing series.

Gounon and Kalender will be stepping into roles previously held by Luca Stolz and Arjun Maini in Mercedes’ four-car lineup. Stolz, who was initially a leading candidate for Mercedes’ entry in the LMGT3 class of the World Endurance Championship with Iron Lynx, is now expected to participate in the GT World Challenge Europe. Meanwhile, Maini has transitioned away from Mercedes to join forces with Ford, where he may secure a position in HRT’s anticipated two-car entry featuring the Mustang GT3.

Haupt Racing Team (HRT), which has been affiliated with Mercedes since its inception, is making a strategic shift by aligning itself with Ford, which is intensifying its GT3 efforts in Europe.

Source
www.autosport.com