Mercedes-Benz has today announced that it will retain Susie Wolff for the forthcoming Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season. Wolff, 29, will begin her seventh season with Mercedes, having made her début in 2006.
Wolff will continue to drive for Persson Motorsport, with whom she has raced for the past four season. Her car will also continue to sport a distinctive pink ‘TV Spielfilm’ livery.
“Since making my DTM debut in 2006, I have always felt at home in the Mercedes-Benz family, so I am delighted that the relationship continues into 2012,” said Wolff (née Stoddart).
“I’m really motivated and I have been working hard all winter to prepare myself physically and mentally for what is bound to be a very close and competitive season; with the introduction of new cars and regulations, the playing field is going to be more level for all of the drivers. We now have three premium manufacturers lined up against each other – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – which promises to make the battle all the more intriguing and exciting.”
During Wolff’s seven seasons in the DTM her best result to-date has been a pair of seventh-placed finishes during the 2010 season., which saw her finish 13th overall in the championship. Last season she scored no points and took a best finish of 11th.
Wolff’s renewed presence on the grid once again means that there will be at least two female drivers in the touring car sereis – Audi confirmed Swiss racer Rahel Frey at the end of February.
“Susie has set her sights very high for 2012 and cannot wait to get out there and achieve good results,” said Norbert Haug, Vice-President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “I have often admired her speed in races, and there is not a single DTM driver or DTM champion around who has not had to contend with Susie’s fighting spirit on the racetrack.
Haug hopes that Wolff will adapt quickly to the new regulations which are coming into force this season, as well as to the addition of rivals BMW to the series.
“Provided she can secure a good position on the grid in our new-generation DTM C-Class Coupé, and get off the line well, then Susie will be even more of a force to be reckoned with in 2012. We are all looking forward to having Susie in our team of drivers for a seventh season — and I am confident that seven will be her lucky number, you’ll see!”