DTM drops option tires for 2015

The DTM will drop option tires from its sporting regulations for 2015.

It was announced during the Hockenheim weekend that just a single compound tire will be used next season, spelling an end to the DTM's option tire era.

The decision comes as part of what will likely be a wider ranging change of the sporting regulations, which have at times been criticized this season, particularly with the option tire usage rule essentially forcing all cars to pit at the same time.

"The many letters, e-mails and messages on the social networks that reached us during the season show one thing in particular: the races have to be decided behind the steering wheel and not behind the computer, and even less behind the green table," said ITR chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht. "From the halfway point of the season, we have had regular meetings with various commissions in order to decide on substantial steps.

"At the moment, we are collecting many ideas that we will convert into proposals and decisions in the next weeks. In that process, I have to ask for some patience, because all the changes to the sporting format and to the regulations have to be considered carefully.

"We will no longer have option tires – there is consensus on that. Our tire partner Hankook has produced a nearly perfect tire that the drivers really liked. However, it didn't bring the additional excitement to the races that we wanted.

"This season, there were basically two halves of the races that admittedly were clearer than last year, but not perfect yet. I want to achieve that a TV spectator who is probably a few minutes late in switching on, will find his way into the race action right away and knows who will be challenging for victory at the front of the field."

Originally on Autosport.com