Mercedes has announced its DTM driver line-up for the 2017 campaign, with four of its 2016 racers dropped from the new roster.
Daniel Juncadella, Felix Rosenqvist, Maximilian Götz and Christian Vietoris have all lost their seats, with Mercedes having recruited Edoardo Mortara and Maro Engel as replacements.
Mortara, whose signing had already been revealed, joins after six years with Audi, culminating in second in last year's championship, while Engel returns to Mercedes, having spent four years with the team in the category from 2008 to 2011.
Paul di Resta, Lucas Auer, Gary Paffett and Robert Wickens have all been retained, with each manufacturer having reduced its number of drivers from eight to six for this year’s championship.
Formula 3 runner-up Maximilian Günther has been signed as reserve driver.
“In 2017, all of us manufacturers will be up against major challenges,” said Mercedes chief Ulrich Fritz.
“We have a new car, new tyres and a reduction in the number of drivers on the grid.
“The standard of competition is therefore going to be higher than ever before in the DTM.
“That’s precisely why I am glad we have put together such a high-calibre squad.
“Edo, Lucas, Paul, Gary and Rob have all won DTM races and are well capable of having a say in the destination of the title.
“But therein lies yet another major challenge for the team and the drivers – to succeed this year, we need to function as a homogenous and resolute unit.
“Added to which, we have Maro who also has a lot of experience and is a title winner in his own right.”
