The end of the DTM Series?

DTM is rather popular now, but if Audi and BMW follow Mercedes out the door DTM will cease to exist.

With Mercedes decision to quit the DTM at the end of 2018 fellow German manufacturers Audi and BMW are also questioning whether they should continue.

Mercedes is dropping DTM and moving to Formula E for the 2019/2020 season because the internal combustion engine has no future as cars more to 100% electric in the next 10 years. Similar to NASCAR, staying in DTM makes almost no sense as it soon will have zero relevance to passenger cars.

Its decision means Mercedes will be absent from the DTM for the first time since 1987.

"We regret the decision of Mercedes-Benz to retire from DTM after the 2018 season," said Audi motorsport boss Dieter Gass.

"The consequences for Audi and the series are not clear at the moment.

"For Audi, being part of international top touring car sport is a vital part of its works motorsports strategy.

"We now have to analyze the new situation with everybody involved in order to find a solution or possible alternatives to DTM."

BMW motorsport boss Jens Marquardt added: "It is with great regret that we acknowledge Mercedes' departure after the 2018 DTM season.

"We now need to evaluate this new situation."