Ex-MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso will not start in the DTM in the Project 1 BMW after his two-day test at the end of March in Hockenheim. But how did it come about that the 37-year-old Italian was able to share the M4 GT3 with regular DTM driver Marco Wittmann? And what’s next?
“We met in the MotoGP paddock,” says Project 1 boss Hans-Bernd Kamps, who with his agency Tolimit is also a partner of MotoGP promoter Dorna and, for example, initiated the DHL deal. “Then we thought he could get into one of those cars. I’m a two-wheeler fan. We did that.”
During the test, the long-time Ducati pilot was several seconds behind Wittmann. Therefore, according to information from ‘Motorsport-Total.com’, it was concluded that he would need further test drives before racing.
“No surprise motorcyclist is slower”
According to Kamps, that came as no surprise to his team. “Anyone who follows the history of our team knows that we have worked together with Ralf Waldmann before,” he refers to the Tolimit commitment of the deceased Vice World Champion in the Porsche Carrera Cup more than 20 years ago.
“That’s why we have a relatively large amount of experience when it comes to the subject, also because we’ve worked with other drivers from other series. So it’s no surprise for us when it turns out that a motorcyclist takes a car like this through the corner slower than a car driver. He has to get used to the fact that the lean angle is different.”
More tests for Dovizioso?
What’s next for Dovizioso and Project 1? “In the end, everything is open,” answers Kamps, who says he has not yet finished the topic. “I’m a person who can make decisions very quickly and gets enthusiastic about something very quickly. And the topic of motorcyclists in cars is a challenge for me for the future.”
Apart from that, one also had very positive experiences with Dovizioso during the test: “Andrea is a very pleasant person who is very easy to work with. Maybe we can imagine more at some point in the future.”
Are further tests planned? “If we can create this freedom – and we don’t know that at the moment – then we will certainly do one or the other,” Kamps replies. “The goal is open.”