Ex-DTM champion Mike Rockenfeller will be a TV expert for ProSieben’s DTM broadcasts in 2022: Who he will alternate with and how it came about
Ex-DTM champion Mike Rockenfeller, who parted ways with Audi at the end of 2021 and left the traditional series after 15 years, will be an expert and co-commentator on DTM television partner ProSieben this year. The TV station, which is taking over the broadcasting rights from partner Sat.1 this year, made the announcement during the official DTM test at the Hockenheimring.
“It’s a very different feeling not to travel to Hockenheim for the test as a driver after so many years,” says Rockenfeller, who is looking forward to the new challenge. “You can’t underestimate the task, though.”
The reason for the 38-year-old from Neuwied’s commitment is the fact that the Ran Racing team, which will continue to be responsible for the broadcasts despite the change of broadcaster and will remain largely unchanged, has lost two experts at the same time, Martin Tomczyk and Rene Rast.
Tomczyk and Rast no longer available
Tomczyk was engaged by the DTM umbrella organisation ITR as series manager of the DTM Trophy junior series after the end of his active career as a BMW works driver. In addition, he will also contribute his know-how to the main DTM series. Following Audi’s withdrawal from Formula E, Rast will make his DTM comeback at Abt this year and is also not available.
At least ex-champion Timo Scheider will remain in the DTM as an expert. He will alternate with Rockenfeller in 2022. Both will be on site at the season opener in Portimao.
“I won’t be doing all the races,” confirms Rockenfeller, who also emphasises that he has not ended his racing career. The veteran, who won his only DTM title in 2013 in the Phoenix Audi and celebrated a total of six victories, but also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010, is driving a Cadillac this year in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Rockenfeller makes clear: No career end!
“I’m still young as a driver and in the prime of my life,” he jokes. “My heart is very attached to endurance racing in prototype racing.” However, he says he is “very grateful to the DTM for allowing me to drive here for 15 years. And it’s a perfect fit for me to use my experience. “
According to Alexander Wölffing, who acts as Ran’s chief of staff, the first talks with Rockenfeller about an engagement as a TV expert took place as early as the DTM season finale at the Norisring in 2021.
“The salary was so much higher than as a driver that I immediately stopped driving,” he jokes. “No, joking aside: “We were always in contact. But since it became a bit clear to me that I wouldn’t be driving DTM this year, one thing led to another. Martin then went to ITR and that’s how it came about. “
