AF Racing, HWA Join Forces for Possible Aston DTM Project

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

AF Racing and HWA have announced a joint venture that will see the formation of a new motorsports company.

The two organizations are believed to have joined forces for a DTM effort that would see HWA build and operate Aston Martin race cars for as soon as 2020.

R-Motorsport, a subsidy of the Swiss-backed AF Racing, currently campaigns Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3s in the Blancpain GT Series, with plans to expand into other international GT3 races next year.

According to a statement, the new company, to be based in Germany, will establish a “strategic innovation partnership for development projects in auto racing and the automotive sector in general.”

AF Racing co-owners Dr Andreas Baenziger and Dr Florian Kamelger, who are also involved in various Aston Martin road car projects, will serve as partners alongside HWA CEO Ulrich Fritz (pictured above).

“The founding of the joint venture with HWA AG opens up further scope for the strategic development of our company in terms of both motor racing and automotive production and sales,” Kamelger said.

“Our priority is to firmly establish ourselves in international motorsport and to achieve success, thereby demonstrating innovative strength and competitiveness in development and production for our various partners.”

Aston Martin has yet to comment on the prospects of a possible expansion into DTM, which is set to feature only Audi and BMW next year.

While a longtime partner to Mercedes-Benz, HWA’s involvement with the German manufacturer in DTM is set to end at the conclusion of this season, amid Mercedes’ withdrawal from the series.

HWA, however, is still expected to play a role with Mercedes, having already confirmed an entry into the ABB FIA Formula E Championship for 2018-19 ahead of Mercedes’ official entry the following season.

“The market environment in which HWA AG operates – international motorsport in particular – is currently experiencing rapid development,” Fritz said.

“AF Racing is a company that is young and highly dynamic in equal measure; it is constantly looking for new directions and opportunities.

“Combined with the many years of experience acquired by HWA AG in international motorsport, this offers great potential which we want to tap into with the establishment of our joint venture enterprise.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John