HRT will head into its second season as a Ford-backed group within the DTM this 12 months. The group led by Ulrich Fritz has a three-year settlement with the American producer and is even increasing its programme with a manufacturing facility entry at Bathurst and participation within the Intercontinental GT Problem.
As for the DTM, the group is but to announce who will drive its two Mustang GT3s.
“When it comes to the motive force query, we haven’t made any progress,” group principal and managing director Fritz instructed Motorsport.com’s sister title Motorsport-Whole. “I feel it’s very doubtless that Arjun Maini will proceed. Every part else is open.”
Maini has change into an integral a part of the HRT group. The Indian has pushed for the Nurburgring-based squad since its Mercedes days in 2022, lives close to Cologne and is an everyday within the group’s workshop.
However whereas his place appears roughly safe, query marks stay over who will pilot the squad’s second automotive.
Scherer on staying: “Not all puzzle items collectively but”
One particular candidate for the seat is Fabio Scherer, who raced for the group final 12 months and got here near securing Ford’s first DTM podium at Spielberg.
“Contemplating he had zero GT3 expertise and we couldn’t take a look at with him as a result of the choice got here so late, he did a really respectable job,” Fritz mentioned of the 26-year-old’s efficiency.
“Additionally, working with him is enjoyable, and he has character. Subsequently, the logical conclusion could be to proceed the collaboration. However we solely have two cockpits — and it’s additionally a matter of monetary circumstances and sponsors.”
Scherer himself want to stick with HRT within the DTM in 2026. “We’re engaged on it, however not all of the puzzle items are collectively but,” the Swiss driver mentioned when requested about his future.
Fabio Scherer, Group HRT
Picture by: Markus Toppmöller
Intensified US programme for Olsen
Final 12 months, manufacturing facility Ford driver Dennis Olsen was already touted as a powerful contender for the HRT seat. Olsen’s large benefit is that he already is aware of DTM and the tracks utilized by the championship, having raced within the collection from 2022-23 with Porsche. As such, he wouldn’t have to undergo an adaptation interval.
Nonetheless, in 2026, Olsen won’t solely participate within the 5 endurance races of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, as he did within the earlier 12 months, he’ll contest the total championship. Whereas the 29-year-old won’t be driving for Ford within the World Endurance Championship (WEC) this 12 months, he can be racing for HRT on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
“You need to take into consideration how a lot you’ll be able to drive in a 12 months,” Fritz mentioned, seeing Olsen’s intense US programme as a hurdle. A return to the DTM within the HRT Ford, he mentioned, is “not fully dominated out, however unlikely.”
Fritz on Schumacher: Extra doubtless in endurance
David Schumacher has been a Ford works driver for a 12 months, drives for HRT in different classes and mentioned in September final 12 months that he would “very very similar to to drive the DTM once more” alongside different GT3 collection.
“He did an excellent job once more this 12 months, each within the GT World Problem and on the Nordschleife,” group boss Fritz mentioned of Schumacher’s second 12 months with HRT.
But 2026 doesn’t seem like the 12 months he’ll make a comeback within the DTM: “For the time being, I see him extra in endurance racing,” mentioned Fritz.
Can ADAC GT Masters champion Wiebelhaus make the leap?
#65 HRT Ford Efficiency Ford Mustang GT3: Finn Wiebelhaus, Romain Andriolo, David Schumacher, Salman Owega
Picture by: Eric Le Galliot
Then there may be HRT Ford teen Finn Wiebelhaus, who received the 2025 ADAC GT Masters title with team-mate Salman Owega — and is reportedly very desirous about a DTM cockpit.
The 19-year-old from Obertshausen would additionally save the group his DTM entry payment of over €109,000 because the winner of the Highway-to-DTM Programme, however the step as much as the DTM is critical.
This was demonstrated by the ascent of 2025 ADAC GT Masters champion Tom Kalender to Landgraf Mercedes within the DTM.
“The distinction is that Finn already has two years of GT Masters behind him, a full season within the GT World Problem, and is a little more composed,” Fritz mentioned, stating the distinction to Kalender. And he admitted {that a} DTM cockpit for Wiebelhaus “is beneath dialogue.”
“If youth improvement and this pyramid system of the ADAC are imagined to work, then Finn has each proper to race there too,” Fritz mentioned, referring to the Highway-to-DTM programme. However it isn’t but determined whether or not the leap to the DTM will occur.
In keeping with Motorsport-Whole.com, Scherer remains to be the favorite for the cockpit, although Wiebelhaus can realistically hope for it. Finally, the choice as to who will change into Maini’s HRT team-mate in 2026 will almost certainly come down to those two.
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