Arjun Maini signs for HRT for his second season in DTM
India Today
The first Indian to compete in DTM, Arjun Maini will enter his second season in 2022 with Haupt Racing Team (HRT) piloting a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Arjun Maini will continue for a second season in DTM with the Haupt Racing Team (HRT). Maini spent his rookie season with Team GetSpeed driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 racer. This move is expected to help build on a strong rookie season last year. 2021 Champion Maximillian Gotz drove for HRT.
“I'm thrilled to be joining HRT. Having achieved the majority of my goals in 2021, I'm better prepared to face the challenges of the upcoming season, and my goal is to become the first Indian race winner in DTM. Given the Haupt Racing Team's pedigree, I believe we can mount a series fight for a top five finish in the championship, with the objective being to accumulate as many podiums and wins as possible.” said Maini on his move to HRT.
The 2021 season saw Maini become the first Indian to compete in DTM and also become the first Indian ever get a podium with a 2nd place finish at the last race in Norisring. His qualifying pace has been excellent with several top 5 places. The 2021 switch to GT3 regulations meant a massive influx of all major high-performance manufacturers, from Ferrari and Lamborghini along with German brands like Audi and Porsche. DTM stands as one of the premier racing series in the world with ex-Formula 1 drivers like Lucas di Grassi, Timo Glock and Markus Winkelhock, all part of the grid.
“Strategic aspects played the major role in the selection of our driver line-up for the 2022 DTM season a decision that was made together with Mercedes-AMG. We are confident that, with Luca Stolz and Arjun Maini, we will line up with a very competitive package for Haupt Racing Team.” said Ulrich Fritz, Managing Director of Haupt Racing Team (HRT).
Similar to its dominance in Formula 1, Mercedes-AMG won both the drivers' championship and the manufacturers' championship for 2021. Maini’s promotion from Team GetSpeed to HRT, which is its lead team in DTM is a marker for the Stuttgart-based brand’s continued trust and support in the young Indian.
Not only DTM, but HRT has been a force to reckon with in other motorsports too, like the Asia Le Mans Series, 24 Hours of Nurburgring, GT World series. Arjun Maini has a real shot at securing a top finish in 2022, with a team and car that won the championship the previous year.
2022 has already given way to a good start for Maini, as his stint in Asian Le Mans Series is off to a good start with HRT. He is competing in all four rounds of the GT category, and sharing his car with team owner Herbert Haupt is the lead qualifier for the team.
