DTM series promoter ITR has confirmed that it has initiated specification of a hybrid system with prospective technical partners.

The process is part of a development programme to reduce the series’ environmental impact and will follow on from the series taking the first step towards introducing environmentally friendlier fuels.

That will kick off this weekend during the season finale at Hockenheim, with the DTM VIP race taxis used by Audi and Aston Martin running on a special fuel.

“This pilot project is part of a rich programme for the future aimed at the introduction of sustainable drive technologies to the DTM,” said Achim Kostron, managing director of the DTM organisation ITR.

“And, as part of that process, our scope will expand from greener fuels to include a greater focus on hybrid drive.”

The plan for the hybrid system would be to utilise control components across the field in order to keep costs down.

“Our main aim will always be to provide spectacular racing for the fans,” said Kostron.

“Equally, however, motorsport has a responsibility to investigate new technologies for the automotive industry, or to intensively develop them in a high-performance environment. Together with our manufacturers and technology partners, the ITR is working intensively on the technical configuration for the DTM car of the future.”