Red Bull Formula 1 reserve Alex Albon will race an AlphaTauri-liveried Ferrari run by AF Corse in the 2021 DTM.
Albon lost his Red Bull Racing drive at the end of a difficult 2020 season but has been retained by the team as a reserve and development driver for 2021.
He will combine those duties with a racing campaign in the new-look GT3-based DTM series, with Nick Cassidy replacing Albon at races that clash with F1.
Albon’s DTM programme was initially announced alongside Red Bull junior Liam Lawson but without a car or team.
It has now been confirmed that they will drive Ferrari 488 GT3 Evos prepared by renowned Ferrari team AF Corse.
The cars will be run in full Red Bull liveries, although Albon will run in AlphaTauri colours in an almost identical colour scheme to Red Bull’s sister F1 team.
Lawson will race the car in more traditional Red Bull colours.
Albon drove for the second Red Bull F1 team in 2019 in its Toro Rosso days, before it was rebranded AlphaTauri to promote Red Bull’s fashion label.
His move to the DTM will be Albon’s first out of single-seaters, though he briefly sampled a Mercedes DTM car and McLaren GT machines as a finalist for the 2015 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
“DTM is a great series with highly talented drivers in the field and exciting racing,” said Albon.
“I’ve only driven a ‘tin top’ once back in 2015 and they’re really different to single seaters.
“There’s a lot less downforce and the tires are very different, so it requires a different kind of driving style.
“It will take a bit of time to get used to, but I’m looking forward to a new racing challenge when I’m available outside of my existing F1 commitments.”
AF Corse boss Amato Ferrari said the collaboration was born from an idea hatched by DTM boss and ex-F1 driver Gerhard Berger, who has close links to Red Bull.
“In a short time, we have reached the agreement to work with Red Bull with great enthusiasm,” said Ferrari.
“We have just one ambition: victory.
“Considering the brands involved, all the requirements are there to aspire to be successful.”
The DTM’s switch to GT3-based cars will comprise a pair of 55-minute (plus one lap) sprint races, with rolling starts, at each event.
Monza will host the opening round on June 18-20, one week after the Canadian GP – so Albon should be clear to take part in that.
Based on the current schedules Albon will have to miss races at the Norisring and Red Bull Ring, and the season finale at Hockenheim.
Berger added: “Both Red Bull and Ferrari are leading global players that represent absolute success in the world of motorsports and beyond.
“We are very delighted to unite these two top brands in a unique project in the DTM, where they will join forces in the effort to win the prestigious championship.
“The unprecedented collaboration of the three high-class drivers is particularly promising.
“It is the perfect mix, which will keep the excitement level high in the upcoming DTM season.”
