Maximillian Götz will make his debut in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) alongside Spain’s Daniel Juncadella in Mercedes-Benz’s Mücke Motorsport outfit this coming May as revealed back in January, but the German driver’s car will be adorned by the logo of a legendary motorcycle racing brand.
Mercedes-AMG have partnered up with Italy’s MV Augsta for the forthcoming DTM season, with Götz’s car being branded with the logo of the North Italian manufacturer. Through mutual co-operation, which began with the brands announcing their association last October, MV Augsta will now sport the logo of Mercedes-AMG on the works teams that they are running in both the World Superbike and Supersport championships this year.
MV Augsta has a long lineage of success on two wheels, which has thus far tallied up to 75 drivers’ and constructors’ titles, with 270 grand prix victories to its name, with riders like John Surtees, Mike Halewood, Giacomo Agostini, Carlo Ubbiali and Phil Read having competed for them.
Just like Mercedes-AMG, MV Augsta, based just off the shore of Lago di Varese, has been well-known for its approach towards advanced technology and high performance, something which the Stuttgart brand also embraces as part of its ethos.
“The two marques are united in their passion for competition,” explained Mercedes-AMG GmbH Chairman, Tobias Moers, who noted that this was the next logical step in terms of both brands’ racing history. “The constant striving for the highest performance and the quest to finish on the podium are reflected in both company’s products.”
Mercedes-AMG DTM Team’s team principal, Ulrich Fritz, stated that MV Augsta’s involvement is another strong reason for what could be a rather interesting 2015 season in the DTM: “The racing spirit common to the two brands is now also visible on our respective racing machines and is symbolic of the desire of both parties to be the best in their respective series.”
Testing gets underway at Estoril this week for the first of the two official three-day ITR tests, before the action steps up another gear in the first weekend of May.