Veteran drivers to assist DTM stewards

Date published : 06 Jun 2010 - 09:51:07

The DTM has announced that it will use veteran drivers as race consultants to the clerk of the course and stewards, starting with this weekend's race at Lausitz.The move, which is similar to the system introduced by the FIA in Formula 1 this year, will be evaluated at the Lausitz and Norisring rounds. Ex-DTM driver Bernd Maylander will fulfill the role this weekend, and three-time grand prix winner Johnny Herbert - who has also worked as a Formula 1 steward this year - will do the same at the Norisring.Gerd Ennser, the board member for motor racing at the German motorsport authority (DMSB) said: "In Formula 1, I have seen that the former drivers are a useful complement to the officials because of their expert knowledge."In the DTM rounds at Lausitz and the Norisring, we want to gain experience in order to decide about a permanent role for the race consultant at a later stage."The role will differ slightly to the one occupied by former drivers in Formula 1, as in the DTM the driver will only have an advisory role and will not have an active position on the stewards panel.Ennser, who is regularly involved in grands prix as well, believes that the DTM can gain something from adopting a similar policy to that used in F1."In Formula 1, the former race drivers who are involved are taking their duty very seriously and are providing valuable input," he said. "I am certain that the DTM will also benefit from this additional know-how."