Twenty three year old Arjun Maini will race for the Mercedes-AMG Performance Team GetSpeed in the upcoming 2021 DTM season. It will consist of eight rounds with 16 races across Germany/Europe.
The former Haas F1 team development driver who is currently backed by JK Racing will compete in the series and will become the first Indian to compete in DTM full-time, adding to his growing list of firsts for Indians in motorsport.
“I am absolutely delighted to be driving for Mercedes-AMG with Getspeed in the DTM. My first real experience of the championship came in 2015 when I was competing in Formula 3 and we drove on the same weekend as DTM. The atmosphere was something I had never experienced before. I feel privileged to finally live out one of my dreams. The series enjoys a fine reputation around the world and is the perfect opportunity for me to test myself against fast GT3 drivers,” said Maini.
Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said. “It’s a moment of immense pride and excitement for us at Mercedes-Benz India, that Arjun Maini is participating in the upcoming 2021 DTM season, driving the thrilling Mercedes-AMG GT3. He will be the first Indian to compete in the DTM and it is highly satisfying to see Indian racers make a mark by competing against the very best of motorsports talent across the world.”
GetSpeed Performance operates from the business park at the Nürburgring in Germany.
The foray into the DTM heralds a new chapter for GetSpeed. “This is the first time we have been able to focus exclusively on one driver in the car in a performance-oriented series,” said team Principal Adam Osieka. “This is a very pleasant situation, as we have previously always had to juggle the drivers’ different preferences in one car at endurance races. In the DTM, there is no need to make compromises. I am expecting exciting races and top-class motorsport,” said Osieka.
Maini started his career in the karting scene in 2006. He won the Indian junior
championship in 2011 and took part in the ‘One from a Billion ‘Hunt, which was run by former Formula 1 team Force India. As the winner, he was given the opportunity to race karts in Europe. In 2013, he switched to single-seater racing, in which he enjoyed success in the F4 British Championship. He ended the season in second place, just three points behind teammate and current Formula 1 driver George Russell.