P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Same driver quality, less carnage with smaller 2024 DTM grid – van der Linde
With only 20 cars registered for the entire 2024 DTM season, it represents the lowest number since the switch to GT3 regulations in 2021. The decrease is attributed to high operating costs, diminished manufacturer backing, and wider economic conditions. Despite the drop in participation, familiar names like Marco Wittmann, Rene Rast, and Thomas Preining, the reigning champion, are among the 17 drivers carrying over from 2023. Additionally, Le Mans 24 Hours class victor Nicki Thiim joins the SSR Performance Lamborghini team after a challenging debut in 2022. Despite concerns over the grid reduction, former champ Sheldon van der Linde is optimistic, highlighting the retention of top-tier drivers as crucial for competition quality. The transition to a smaller grid is seen as a positive move by van der Linde, as it should lessen first-lap incidents and place more emphasis on fairer races and qualifying performance in the GT3 era of DTM racing.
