ABT to Leave Audi After 25 Years; Switches to Lamborghini

ABT Sportsline will bring an end to a 25-year DTM relationship with Audi, announcing a switch to Lamborghini machinery as part of a “long-term factory supported deal.”

The German squad announced on Saturday that it will field a pair of Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2s, with the driver lineup to be confirmed at a later date.

The move to Lamborghini brings an end to one of DTM’s most recognizable and enduring partnerships. ABT has raced Audi machinery in the championship for every single season since DTM was revived in 2000.

The roots of the alliance between team and manufacturer date back even further, with the two parties racing together in the Super Tourenwagen Cup before the current DTM was established.

It won five drivers’ championship titles with Laurent Aïello, Mattias Ekstroem and Timo Scheider, while it won additional races and teams’ title with the likes of Kelvin Van der Linde, Ricardo Feller, Nico Mueller, Robin Frijns, Edoardo Mortara, Miguel Molina, Mike Rockenfeller, Tom Kristensen and current motorsport director Martin Tomcyzk.

ABT already has an existing relationship with Lamborghini through its efforts at the Nürburgring 24, where it finished fifth overall with Van der Linde, Jordan Pepper and Marco Mapelli earlier this year.

Lamborghini, meanwhile, is currently represented in DTM by SSR Performance and GRT Grasser Racing Team.

“We got to know and love each other during the 24-hour project,” said ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier.

“ABT Sportsline and Lamborghini are two brands that fit together perfectly; we are passionate about motorsport.

“This passion can also be felt in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Our motto ‘from the racetrack to the road’ fits Lamborghini just as well.

“The fact that we were able to agree on a long-term cooperation and that Lamborghini will support us at the factory level in the DTM in the future is an important moment for ABT Sportsline.”

The existing relationship at the Nürburgring is also set to continue, with Lamborghini stating it will “remain a key fixture” as part of the new deal.

“Motorsport is part of Lamborghini’s DNA,” said Lamborghini chief technical officer Rouven Mohr.

“Success on the racetrack is extremely valuable for us as a sports car manufacturer. The DTM has a special meaning because it has many fans, not only in Germany.

“To be able to work with the most successful team in this racing series in the future makes us very proud. We will support ABT Sportsline to the maximum and we are convinced that it will be a very strong combination.”