MotoGP star Dovizioso to race for Audi in DTM

Italian motorcycle star Andrea Dovizioso is swapping his Ducati Desmosedici GP for the cockpit of an Audi RS 5 DTM race car next month.

The 33-year-old racer will compete in the two DTM races at Misano, Italy, on June 8 and 9.

Audi Motorsport boss Dieter Gass says securing “Dovi” was a coup.

“MotoGP riders are true heroes in Italy. Andrea hails from the Misano area, won the Motorcycle Grand Prix there last year and is going to attract many additional fans,” Gass says.

“We’re already extremely excited to see how he’s going to fare in his DTM debut. That he’s taking time out for the DTM between two MotoGP races is fantastic and not to be taken for granted at all.”

With 13 GP victories and 53 podium finishes to his credit, Dovizioso is one of the most successful current MotoGP riders.

In making his DTM debut, Dovizioso is following famous motorcycle racers like John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Johnny Cecotto, all of whom were successful on two and four wheels -- Cecotto also in the DTM.

“I love cars and I feel lucky to be able to race with the Audi RS 5 DTM,” Dovizioso says “It’s tough to find the time to prepare for it during the MotoGP season but I am really looking forward to compete in such a high-level context such as the DTM.

"The car is amazing, but it's a different challenge compared with my Desmosedici GP and I need to get prepared, so I did many laps in the simulator before stepping into it for the first time.

Before his DTM debut the Ducati factory rider will have the opportunity to test in the more than 610-hp (455kW) race car at  Misano on May 22-23.