The reigning champion of the DTM Trophy will drive an Aston Martin Vantage GT from PROsport Racing in 2021. Tim Heinemann starts his title defense project in the team from Wiesemscheid at the Nürburgring. With the obligatory start number 1, the 23-year-old from Fichtenberg, Germany, will tackle a total of 14 races over seven weekends as part of the DTM. His team mate in the second PROsport-Vantage is the 22-year-old Dane Patrik Matthiesen. For PROsport Racing it is the second season in the junior series on the top-class DTM platform. For the first time, all races will be broadcast live and in highlights from Germany’s leading 360-degree sports platform SPORT1. Tim Heinemann, who was born in Essen and who successfully started his motorsport career in eSport, captured the title in the new DTM Trophy in the 2020 season with seven wins and four further podium positions as well as five pole positions with a Mercedes-AMG GT. Patrik Matthiesen has a lot of GT experience with McLaren, Aston Martin and Ginetta, but also from Formula 4. Since 2015 Patrik Matthiesen has been at the start in England.
#1 Tim Heinemann (GER):
„I got to know PROsport Racing last season. We immediately got along well. That is how a guest participation in another series at the Lausitzring came about, something that went very well. Only after that, interest came up to do something together. Meanwhile, we have had two test sessions, at Assen and at the Nürburgring. I am feeling very well in the team and with the Aston Martin. The package is very good and I have a good teammate, which for me will also be a new experience compared to last year.”
“I’ve put my dream of the DTM behind for once, but haven’t given up yet. The competition in the DTM Trophy is difficult to assess. I’m curious, but it won’t get any easier. However, as in the previous year, my objective is: I want to get the best out of the package, drive good races, stay calm, use my experience – that should help. “
Christoph Esser, Team principal PROsport Racing:
„Tim is a very good driver as he proved in the 2020 DTM Trophy, winning the title in a commanding way. He has proven it during our guest race at the Lausitzring together, with pole position, the race win that sadly was taken away from him afterwards and his podium finish in the second race. That was really convincing. I also very much liked the cooperation during the test.”
“With our two Aston Martin Vantage GTs, we are bringing a new brand into the DTM Trophy and we continue to add colour to the field. After all, our two British sports cars are predominantly orange as well and therefore easy to identify in the field. Meanwhile, we have acquired a lot of experience with the Vantage and have developed both cars. But the other teams have also done their homework, so we won’t know where we are until the first race in Monza.”
#19 Patrik Matthiesen (DEN):
„When I first raced with PROsport in Dubai in January, it became clear to me straight away that we weren’t there to have fun. They are really serious about what they are doing. Everyone has his own duty within the team and then it is typically German: ‘There must be order’. I already raced an Aston Martin in British GT in 2019, but I reckon that was too early for this new car. However, PROsport has shown me that they can provide me with a really competitive car with great technology. Therefore, I am confident that I will be able to challenge for podium results with the Vantage.”
“My team-mate Tim is a big name in the DTM Trophy. He is the man I want to learn a lot from. We have met a couple of times and I look forward to sharing the experience with him. After a few years in England, I can hardly wait for the new season: the cooperation with PROSport, new racetracks and the sprint races of the DTM Trophy – everything is new to me. This is going to be exciting!”
Christoph Esser, Team principal PROsport Racing:
“We have already completed two tests with Patrik, at the Red Bull Ring and in Monza. All I can say is that he did it extremely well. I think he can cause surprises. I am definitely very convinced of our two drivers.”
