The official test day for the new DTM season will take place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on Wednesday. Haupt Racing Team enters two Ford Mustang GT3s in the top-class sprint series for the first time this year. The cockpits for Ford's factory-supported DTM comeback after 36 years will be occupied by Arjun Maini (IND) and Fabio Scherer (SUI).
- HRT Ford Performance starts the new season with two Ford Mustang GT3s
- DTM-experienced line-up with Arjun Maini and Fabio Scherer at the wheels
Haupt Racing Team will start its fifth DTM season at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on the weekend of April 25-27. As part of the joint development program with Ford Performance, the team from Drees will be fielding two Ford Mustang GT3s for the first time this year. The US manufacturer's last works entry in the DTM was in 1989 with the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500. The HRT Ford Performance line-up consists of Ford Performance Factory Driver Arjun Maini and Fabio Scherer, who also completes the squad of official Ford Performance GT3 Junior Drivers. Maini and Scherer can look back on a combined experience of 82 DTM races.
Arjun Maini has been competing successfully for HRT in various racing series since 2022 and achieved three podium finishes and one pole position in the DTM with the team last season. The Indian has made a total of 64 appearances in the prestigious sprint series to date. He will be competing in the #36 Ford Mustang GT3 in the blue and yellow livery of team partner RAVENOL.
Fabio Scherer is experienced in DTM as well: in 2020, which was the last season under Class 1 regulations, he completed 18 DTM races and scored 20 points. In 2023, he won his class at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Swiss driver will contest the 2025 DTM season with the #64 GT3 in Ford Heritage livery. The classic design with the two red stripes across the vehicle is a tribute to the last Ford Mustang in the DTM (1994).
The first test for HRT Ford Performance and the two drivers is scheduled for this week. The official test day will take place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on Wednesday, April 2. The season opener will also be held on the circuit in the Madgeburger Börde region three weeks later. The calendar then includes seven more race weekends in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. The season finale at the Hockenheimring is scheduled for October 4 and 5.
With six race wins from 66 races and the 2021 drivers' title, HRT has a strong record in the tradition-steeped championship. In order to remain competitive in the future, the team is increasing its commitment to young talent and has been cooperating with the SIM-ON kart team since the beginning of the year. The aim is to promote motorsport talent at an early stage and, ideally, to bring them through to the DTM via the team's own program and the "Road to DTM" in the ADAC GT Masters.
Ulrich Fritz, Chief Executive Officer Haupt Racing Team: "First of all, we are obviously very proud that Ford Performance has entrusted us with the responsibility for their DTM comeback. We have proven several times in the past that we can be successful in this series. However, we will certainly need some patience with the new car. The focus is on the further development of the Ford Mustang GT3. But with regard to our two fast drivers and the experienced crew, I am confident that we can achieve good results over the course of the season."
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance: "Our return to DTM underscores our commitment to challenging Mustang GT3 against the top competition at the most demanding circuits around the world. HRT has been a tremendous partner and we are strengthening that relationship as we grow into DTM.”
Arjun Maini, HRT Ford Performance #36: "I am very excited about another year in the DTM with HRT and Ford Performance. We are really looking forward to the season. It's a new challenge for me and a new challenge for the team. But fortunately we've worked very well together over the past few seasons. So I am very happy to continue that relationship and hopefully we can have some strong races together and be successful."
Fabio Scherer, HRT Ford Performance #64: "I'm delighted to be back in the DTM after five years - and for Ford's return. It's incredible to be racing for the iconic Ford brand and HRT. Thank you very much for this great opportunity."
About HRT
The Haupt Racing Team (HRT) was founded in 2020 by racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt and has firmly established itself in international GT3 sport. Its greatest successes to date include the 2021 DTM Drivers' Championship, the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Drivers' and Teams' Titles (Sprint and Silver Cup) and the 2023 and 2024 ADAC GT Masters Teams' Titles, as well as class wins and podium finishes in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps. From the 2025 season, HRT will run the Ford Mustang GT3 with factory support from Ford Performance in several high-profile racing series and championships. HRT is also actively involved in the promotion of young talent, covering the entire pyramid of driver development from entry into motorsport in the HRT Kart Team to the highest level of GT racing in the DTM. The joint operations center is the state-of-the-art HRT RACE BASE in Drees at the Nürburgring, where technical development projects and motorsport events of all kinds are also carried out.
