Molina’s DTM future in doubt

Miguel Molina’s DTM future is in doubt after the identity of seven of Audi’s eight drivers for 2013 were revealed on Wednesday night.

Neither Molina, who drove for Phoenix Racing this year, nor Abt Sportsline’s Rahel Frey, were among those named during Audi’s end-of-season ‘Sport Finale’ in Ingolstadt.

While AUTOSPORT understands that Swiss driver Frey will be part of Audi’s GT3 programme, what Spaniard Molina does next is unclear. Spain’s race has been dropped from the 2013 calendar.

Molina took two pole positions in 2011 and the maiden podium finish for a Spanish driver in the DTM.

Despite being linked to drives with both Mercedes and BMW for 2013, Mattias Ekstrom is staying with Audi, along with Timo Scheider, who was forced to deny speculation that he had left the manufacturer last month.

Mike Rockenfeller, Edoardo Mortara, Filipe Albuquerque and Adrien Tambay have all been retained and will be joined by Jamie Green, who confirmed his switch from Mercedes earlier this month.

Audi said on Wednesday that “the decision about filling the eighth cockpit is still pending.”

A number of drivers tested for the manufacturer at Monteblanco recently, including sportscar racer James Rossiter, Superstars champion Johan Kristoffersson, who has since been ruled out of a seat, and Formula Renault 3.5 driver Nico Muller.

Triple Porsche Supercup champion Rene Rast has also tested Audi machinery in recent years and won the Spa 24 Hours in an R8 LMS ultra this season.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/miscellaneous/dtm/molinas-dtm-future-in-doubt

Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard