DTM drivers allowed to select own numbers in 2015

Drivers in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) have been allowed to select their own race numbers from 2015 onwards, following the lead of other high-profile racing championships.

Reigning champion Marco Wittmann is the exception for this season, with the young German competing with the highly-coveted #1 for winning last year’s title. Nevertheless, the BMW driver has also selected #11 for use in future seasons, should he fail to retain his title this year.

Other drivers have selected their race numbers for personal reasons, with BMW’s Augusto Farfus explaining: “For me, the 18 is linked with a kind of time travel. “Back in 1992, I contested my first kart races with this number. A lot of nice memories are connected with the #18 and I would love to continue my personal success story with this number in DTM.”

Mercedes-Benz’s Christian Vietoris also has similar reasons to Farfus. “In the past, I always was successful with this number. For me, this number stands for good feelings, luck and success. I won – for instance – the Formula BMW title in superior style, with the #8.”

Former champions Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Scheider selected their numbers based on reasons of luck and superstition.

“The 9 always was a good number for me,” explained Rockenfeller. “And so I thought that things just can’t go wrong with two nines on my car.”

Scheider alluded to his two titles in 2008 and 2009 when selecting the number which will adorn his Audi in the future.

“As the #1 I had on my car some years ago also was assigned, for me it is a symbol, telling me that I have achieved a goal,” said Scheider.

The numbers of the 2015 DTM drivers