Red Bull Teams Up with AF Corse, Ferrari for Two-Car Entry

Red Bull has announced that its two-car entry into the GT3-based DTM series will consist of a pair of Ferraris run by triple 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro winner AF Corse.

The Austrian company declared its plan to return to the German-based championship last month with Liam Lawson and ex-Formula 1 driver Alexander Albon.

It has since completed its entry’s makeup with the confirmation that Italian organization AF Corse will prepare both of its Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020s.

Additionally, Nick Cassidy has been signed to the lineup and will share turns in the Alpha Tauri-branded car with Albon depending on the availability of each driver.

Albon is continuing to work for the Red Bull Racing F1 team in a test and reserve driver capacity despite no longer holding a full-time seat, while 2017 Super GT champion Cassidy will be driving for Envision Virgin in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The partnership between Red Bull and AF Corse marks the first Ferrari entry into the DTM, which has adopted FIA GT3 regulations for its 2021 season.

Red Bull was previously involved in the series as the backer of Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom who won the 2004 and 2007 drivers’ championships.

AF Corse runs the Ferrari factory GTE program in the FIA World Endurance Championship and also won last year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup title.

“Both Red Bull and Ferrari are leading global players that represent absolute success in the world of motorsports and beyond,” said DTM boss Gerhard Berger.

“We are very delighted to unite these two top brands in a unique project in the DTM, where they will join forces in the effort to win the prestigious championship.

“The unprecedented collaboration of the three high-class drivers is particularly promising: Formula 1 driver and podium finisher Alex Albon, GT professional and multiple race-winner Nick Cassidy and young talent Liam Lawson in one team – it is the perfect mix, which will keep the excitement level high in the upcoming DTM season.”

AF Corse team principal Amato Ferrari added: “This challenge started thanks to Gerhard Berger, the idea is his.

“In a short time, we have reached the agreement to work with Red Bull with great enthusiasm.

“We have just one ambition: victory. Considering the brands involved, all the requirements are there to aspire to be successful.”

As previously announced, both Albon and 18-year-old open-wheel racer Lawson will be making their GT racing debuts in the DTM.

Lawson’s fellow New Zealander Cassidy has the most sports car experience of the group, having been a regular in GT500 with Toyota and Lexus teams for several years.

The Super Formula champion also piloted a GT3-spec Ferrari in the 2019 editions of the Total 24 Hours of Spa and the Suzuka 10 Hours which he contested with HubAuto Racing.