German youngster Theo Oeverhaus makes his DTM debut at the Nürburgring with a guest start for Walkenhorst – and makes history
Surprise Walkenhorst-BMW guest start in the DTM at the Nürburgring: Theo Oeverhaus from Osnabrück, who is only 17 years old and also competes for the squad from Melle in the talent-forming DTM Trophy, will pilot a BMW M4 GT3 in the upcoming DTM weekend from 26 to 28 August.
Oeverhaus will thus become a teammate of DTM champion Marco Wittmann and Esteban Muth for two races and make history as the youngest DTM driver of all time.
In the 36th season of the traditional series, he replaces Pascal Wehrlein, who made his DTM debut as an 18-year-old in Hockenheim in 2013. In addition, Oeverhaus is the first DTM Trophy driver to make the leap into the main series, even if it is “only” a guest start.
Nürburgring: Oeverhaus has to multitask
“I am very happy about the opportunity and the trust of the DTM to be allowed to compete as the youngest driver in history,” said Oeverhaus about his DTM debut. “It will be a tough weekend for me, as I will also be competing in the DTM Trophy. “
Oeverhaus will have to multitask at the Nürburgring, as he will continue to compete in the BMW M4 GT4 in the DTM Trophy, in which he is currently third overall with 76 points and has a chance of winning the title.
Oeverhaus began his career in karting and then moved into the entry-level BMW 318i Cup racing series, where he became Junior Champion in 2020.
Promoted by Jörg Müller and Walkenhorst
The youngster, whose career is supported by Walkenhorst and ex-BMW works driver Jörg Müller, celebrated his first victory in the DTM junior squad in October 2021 at Hockenheim. Oeverhaus has also already managed a second place at the Lausitzring and a victory at the Norisring in the current season.
Oeverhaus also competes successfully in the BMW M2 Cup, which is held regularly on the DTM platform. He has already gained his first GT3 experience in a race as well as in tests. A DTM test is also still to come before his DTM debut.
“It makes us proud as a team and brings us great joy to be able to accompany Theo so successfully from karting to the DTM,” says team boss Niclas Königbauer, referring to the long-standing collaboration with the talent. “I am very excited to see how he will do in his first GT3 sprint race. “
That’s why ITR granted Oeverhaus’ guest start
Despite this season’s extensive DTM grid with almost 30 cars, the DTM umbrella organisation ITR has approved Oeverhaus’ guest start. “For a guest start, it was important to us that Theo has some experience on the car,” explains DTM Trophy Manager Martin Tomczyk, who also acts as a representative for the brand and the sports division at ITR.
“He recently proved this at the endurance classic in Spa. I like the way he is developing. Theo has proven himself in a short time in combination with the BMW M2 Cup in the DTM Trophy and now gets the chance to show his skills in the DTM. This is exactly the development I would like to see for young drivers. I also think the synergies that the team uses on the DTM platform are great. “
