What plans the Emil Frey team has for the 2024 DTM season, what the deployment of a third Ferrari depends on and what the driver selection looks like
While most DTM brands are seeing a decline in the number of cars, things could go in the other direction for Ferrari in 2024 in the traditional series: Because the Emil Frey team is considering expanding the program to include a third Ferrari 296 GT3.
“Not all the contracts have been signed yet, but we are very keen to continue competing in the DTM,” “In what constellation is not yet 100 percent defined.”
An allusion to a third car? “No,” replies the Swiss. “We have had an extremely high number of inquiries from drivers regarding the use of a third vehicle,” he admits. “If the conditions were right, we would certainly be ready for it. ”
“Complexity of a third car should not be underestimated “
But what does it depend on whether the Emil Frey Group team, which is the largest car dealer in Europe, will expand its DTM commitment to a third Ferrari after the 2023 debut year? “With an additional car, you have more chance of good results,” says Frey-Hilti. “However, the complexity of running a third car should not be underestimated, as we know from previous projects.”
This usually requires a second pit crew, as long as SSR Performance does not rely on a latecomer like Alessio Deledda last year, who comes into the pits after the top drivers anyway. The ITR even wanted to ban a second pit stop facility per team for 2023 due to the large number of teams, because otherwise it would have become too crowded in the pit lane
Enough space for a second pit stop facility?
“It would be difficult with three competitive drivers,” says the Emil Frey team boss, who would also like to have a strong driver in the third car. “That’s why this is still an issue that we need to clarify before we make a decision.”
According to information from , however, the team can certainly hope to use a second pit stop facility, as it currently looks like there will be fewer than 28 vehicles for the 2024 season. In addition, the pit building in Zandvoort has been extended, which was previously a limiting factor
Albert Costa not a candidate for third Ferrari
But who could sit in that third Ferrari? “I’d like to say that we’ll grab Max Verstappen after the joint test, but it’s very unlikely that my wish will come true,” says Frey-Hilti with a wink. Several drivers are currently in the running. “We are talking to drivers we know, but also to drivers who have not yet had anything to do with our team.”
it will not be Spaniard Albert Costa, who replaced Jack Aitken at Zandvoort in 2023 and competed for the team in the GT World Challenge Europe.
But what about the two cockpits of the Ferrari cars already entered in 2023? According to team boss Frey-Hilti, Jack Aitken and Thierry Vermeulen can hope for a contract extension
Good chances of Aitken and Vermeulen staying on
“Fortunately, there are no overlaps with Jack in 2024,” he says, referring to Aitken’s absence from Zandvoort last year due to his IMSA commitments. “That would not have been acceptable for me this year, because you have almost no chance in the championship that way. We are in final talks with him.”
What about the 21-year-old Vermeulen? “That’s not 100 percent fixed yet either, but I think both sides are interested in continuing to work together,” he says. Apart from the Dutchman’s progress in the first season, a collaboration is also attractive due to the package with Verstappen.com Racing, Red Bull and Max Verstappen.
